Benfica-Liverpool: remembering 2005/06 and the history that can repeat itself

BTV INTERVIEW

The UEFA draw has set the clash between Benfica and Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Before the clash scheduled for 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 5, at Estádio da Luz, BTV spoke with Simão Sabrosa.

The Club's current Director of International Relations scored one of the goals in the knockout stage 16 years ago, at Anfield Road (0-2), recalled the two legs of the Champions League round of 16, and assured that "it is possible to repeat history".

Come out of the 1st leg ahead with the help of the Inferno da Luz

"At Estádio da Luz we played a very good game, we were the most offensive team, the one that most sought the victory and we got it in the final moments [1-0], through Luisão. In that match [1st leg], against Liverpool, we knew we were capable of fighting for the win. Liverpool had a great team, with Spanish and English players. Gerrard didn't start and came on at 77'. That's when Rafa Benítez wanted to win the game, and we, with the 60,000 people who were supporting us, kept playing our way and managed to score."

Benfiquistas helped resist initial pressure at Anfield

"It's not easy to play in Liverpool but seeing the team that Rafa Benítez put in the beginning, with Peter Crouch, Morientes, Luis García, Xabi Alonso, Gerrard, Harry Kewell... We knew it was going to be a super-offensive team, which would have to score. The first minutes were very difficult, we couldn't get out of our midfield, with corners, free kicks, and balls that hit the post. The pitch was not in good condition. In the pre-match training, at Anfield, we lost Petit, a key player for us, in the warm-up. Curiously, they, in the first half, attacked to the side where our fans were, about 4000, and we felt their strength, which helped us to hold the 0-0 in the first minutes."

Simão's masterpiece described by himself

"[0-1 at Anfield Road] It was the first time we were able to go out on a fast attack. The first minutes are always difficult, and they were good. Manuel Fernandes made a long, deep pass, where Laurent Robert and Geovanni were in dispute, they passed the ball back to Nuno Gomes, who passed the ball to me on the left side. Then, it was a well-executed shot, which was typical of the way I play. This play still gives me goosebumps. I cut inside and bent it."

Miccoli's goal: the final throw of the dice

"[0-2 at Anfield Road] That moment was a quick attack from the right side, where I have the ball, and Beto makes the move behind my back and I pass him the ball because he is alone. He made a cross in which the ball goes to Miccoli who scored a great goal. These are two historic moments for us individually, but also for Benfica. It was the throw of the dice."

Repeat history

"Looking at the two teams, it is possible to repeat. We will steo onto the pitch with the score at 0-0, 11 against 11, and anything can happen. At Estádio da Luz, our fans will be a great force and I am sure that our players will be at the best level to defend our history and represent Benfica in the best possible way."