Heysel to be remembered Friday 18 March, 2005
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Juventus and Liverpool will use their Champions’ League quarter-final tie to commemorate the Heysel stadium disaster.
The two clubs have not faced each other in competition since the 1985 European Cup Final, when 39 fans died as a result of crowd trouble in Brussels.
"Our thoughts will obviously go to what happened back then," stated Juventus boss Fabio Capello. "It is important to remember so that nothing like that ever happens again."
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry stated that he intended to work closely with the Italian club in an effort to mark the 20th anniversary of the disaster.
"We'll be in talks with Juventus to mark the occasion, and show how far football has come since then," he said.
"It was all a long time ago and there is now a friendship between the two clubs and the two sets of supporters.
"It's never something you forget, but I'd say everyone will be more focused on the football now and it's a very challenging tie."
Capello added that he wasn’t surprised with the outcome of today’s draw, after his outfit defeated Real Madrid in the last round.
"I was expecting to face an English club," he added. "Over the last few years I have consistently come up against Premiership sides or Real.
"Am I glad to have avoided Milan and Inter? If you want to win this Cup then you must play everyone at one stage."
Juventus will start the two-legged tie as hot favourites but Luciano Moggi is remaining cautious.
"This won’t be a walk in the park," stated the director general. "I’m convinced that we are playing against a strong and prestigious club."
However, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez isn’t the happiest man as he was hoping to avoid Italian opposition.
"They are always tough to play against," he stated. "Especially Juventus who are strong in defence and midfield.
"Playing at home first is also a disadvantage as we must not concede. Nevertheless, I’m remaining hopeful."
cource: channel4.com
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