Then, there is the fitness of star football players with both teams missing key players. Real Madrid are without long term injury sufferers Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Ruben de la Red and Mahamadou Diarra. Others on the sidelines are Michel Salgado, Royston Drenthe, Julien Faubert, Dani Parejo, and Javi Garcia. Dutch striker Klaas Jans Huntelaar is cup tied. The other winter signing, Lassana Diarra has been registered and is eligible to play even if he appeared in UEFA Cup matches with Portsmouth. For the Reds, Xabi Alonso is back after missing Liverpool's last EPL match against Manchester City due to a one game suspension. Defender Daniel Agger is out with a back injury while recently injured players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are still recuperating and are on a day to day basis. With the questionable fitness of the skipper and the talismanic striker, it seems that Madrid has the advantage in manpower.
The tactical aspects of the match shall pit Juande Ramos versus Rafael Benitez. Ramos has achieved stability in his managerial career, as his current deal with Madrid is to be the boss until the end of the season, his disastrous coaching job with Tottenham now a thing of the past. Benitez though, is still uncertain about his future with contact negotiations still ongoing. He insists that his mind is at the game at hand and not on the contract talks. Surely, he must be distracted in some ways. Both managers have been succesful and know each other from their club battles in the Premier League. I do think though that when it comes to European football, Benitez has the edge over Ramos.
I watched the game and noticed how Liverpool appeared organized in its defense. Madrid may have possessed the ball more but the Reds' defense held their ground. Madrid was limited to just long range shot attempts with Arjen Robben's drive in the 70th minute about to find the net but Jose Reina parried the ball over the bar.
The Reds had to make do with Gerrard's absence. Yossi Benayoun became active at right flank and Dirk Kuyt supported Torres upfront. Jaime Carragher captained the side. And it seemed that Benitez' order of play was a stifling defense, an aggressive and mobile midfield and endless pitch running.
Perhaps it was Livepool's self belief that pushed them through. The knowledge that they have the ability to score late goals, no matter who is in the team. The notion that the Reds can not win without Gerrard and Torres was broken with this impressive victory. They have to preserve the lead as they go to Anfield for the second leg of this round of 16 match. Benayoun has proven that he has what it takes to be a vital man at Liverpool.
The winning goal came when Gabriel Heinze fouled Kuyt which gave the Reds a free kick. Fabio Aurelio took the opportunity to curl in his kick that found an unmarked Benayoun, who headed the ball towards the net past goalkeeper Iker Casillas from six yards.
Liverpool have again defied the odds and proved their critics wrong. Its to early to call but teams do want to be in the lead than be the ones doing the chasing. As for Benitez' contract talks, it surely will help his cause if the team does win a silverware this season, whatever it might be.
See the live scores of the Champions League at Scorespro.com
Source: ScoresPro.com
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