Aurelio backing for Benitez

Brazilian hails manager's European pedigree

Last updated: 9th March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Aurelio backing for Benitez

Aurelio: Benitez praise

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Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio has labelled Rafa Benitez one of the best managers in the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds are preparing for Tuesday's second-leg meeting with Real Madrid in the last 16 of the competition and full-back Aurelio is in a confident mood.

He feels that the proven track record of Benitez - who steered Liverpool to European glory in 2005 and also made the final two years later - stands the club in good stead.

The Brazilian also believes that the amount of homework Benitez carries out on opponents will give Liverpool - who lead Real 1-0 from the first leg - the edge.

Aurelio said: "Rafa has the knack of winning these games. I have worked with him here and in Valencia and he knows a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of any team.

Challenge

"He will have been planning for this game for many days, so that when we arrive for the match we will know exactly what our jobs will be.

"And we will know how we can hurt the opposition. He is one of the best managers around in this competition.

"He has got to the final twice, and seems always to be in the last stages. That shows how good he is at planning for such big games."

Liverpool face Premier League leaders Manchester United on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD 1 and Aurelio added: "The next two games will dictate Liverpool's future in the rest of this campaign.

"We have been working for this kind of challenge, this is a big club and we should be in this situation.

"We believe we can get to the quarter-finals and we also feel we can get ourselves back into the race for the Premier League."