Champions League: Paulo Sousa wants 'magical night' from his Basel side against Liverpool at Anfield
Tuesday 9 December 2014 11:20, UK
Basel manager Paulo Sousa believes his team must produce a ‘magical night’ if they are to conquer Liverpool in their Champions League decider at Anfield on Tuesday.
The Swiss side only need a draw against Brendan Rodgers’ side to book their place in the last 16 of the competition for the third time in their history.
But Sousa is wary of the threat posed by the five-time European Champions and underlined the importance of playing positive football.
"I am always looking for a win,” he said. “In my leadership and feedback to the players it is always about playing to win.
“In the last game (against Liverpool) we were controlling possession and created good opportunities. We want to put them under pressure.”
Champions League Goals
Liverpool have only managed to beat Ludogorets Razgrad so far in this year’s competition and are without a win in their last four games in Europe.
The Reds therefore sit two points behind Sousa’s side in Group B and must win if they are to progress to the knockout stages.
But Sousa, who orchestrated a 1-0 win over Liverpool in October, insists his players must be at the top of their game if they are to make the last 16.
“We want to have lots of personality, ambition and intensity in our game,” he said. “We must create difficulties which will allow us to have opportunities to score in the game.
"We will put them more under pressure and hopefully we can have another magical night where the performance will be outstanding and the result of the game will be in our favour."
Going into the game, the spotlight is surrounding Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose ability to cut it at the top level has been questioned in recent weeks.
But former Reds defender Philip Degen, who now plays for Basel, was full of praise for Liverpool’s leader ahead of the decisive clash.
"He was - is - the boss both on and off the pitch, and a great personality at this club," he said. "When I was here he was the man I went to when I had questions.
"It is always special to play here and it is a Champions League night where it is a matter of all or nothing."
