HIS father may believe it’s safe to come from behind the sofa, but Pepe Reina is expecting anything but an easy time this evening.
Sentiment has no doubt played its part in swaying Miguel Reina, famously too nervous to usually watch his son play, to attend Liverpool’s latest Champions League encounter.
Reina senior was a member of the Atletico Madrid team that came within seconds of lifting the European Cup in 1974 before being steamrollered by Bayern Munich in the replay.
He will break with tradition tonight when father and son are reunited in their home-town in a Group D clash in which victory would move Liverpool to the brink of qualification for the knockout stages.
“It’s in the right place and a welcome place for him, it’s in Madrid and is quite near to where I am from,” says Reina. “It’s a big game and he will enjoy it.
“But he’s getting worse with the nerves. He was a keeper and it’s not easy for him with me being a keeper as well. He can see the same problems and same kind of pressure on his son.
“Usually, if he can avoid watching the big games and stay calm at home, it’s better for him!
“Coming to Atletico is always a big test against a big club that is doing the right things at the moment, especially in the Champions League. I don’t think we are favourites. It’s always a difficult place to come to.
“It’s going to be a great game, and we’re both in a great situation. If we can win then we are almost done the first job and can be more focused on the league.”
Despite Atletico’s 100% start ensuring they lead Group D on goal difference ahead of Liverpool, coach Javier Aguirre is under pressure after three successive league defeats.
Rumours sweeping Madrid yesterday were that Sergio Aguero, the Argentine wonderkid, would be rested after a series of below-par performances, hampered by niggling injury.
But Reina says: “Aguero is a fantastic player but Atletico Madrid are not just him. They also have good players like Simao and Forlan, who I know personally. But Aguero is one of the best.”
Liverpool have made life difficult for themselves this season, coming from behind to secure victory for a fifth time in 12 games with a 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
They performed a similar feat in their opening group game in Marseille but Reina admits Benitez’s side cannot afford another slow start this evening.
“The team has great character and we’re showing we never give up on a result, but we have to improve to make sure we don’t keep on falling behind all the time,” he says.
Although Fernando Torres’s hamstring complaint has denied the striker an emotional return to his former stamping ground, there will still be some attacking players hoping to prosper against their former club.
Luis Garcia passed Torres on his way to the Spanish capital while Florent Sinama-Pongolle travelled a more circuitous route, arriving at Atletico this summer after impressing in La Liga with Recreativo.
The latter in particular has caught the eye already at the Vicente Calderon as deputy for the injured Diego Forlan earlier in the campaign.
“It may surprise some people here, after he struggled to establish himself in the Liverpool team, but he was only a young boy then,” says Albert Riera. “He needed more time to develop, and people are beginning to see what he is capable of. He is playing in a really good team, and Liverpool fans will see a far better player than the one who was at Anfield.”
It’s Torres, though, who remains revered in these parts. One fan outside the stadium where the teams trained last night pointed to the club badge on his Atletico shirt, and said: “That is what Torres means. He is Atletico.
“He was with us from a young child. Forgetting him would be like Liverpool fans forgetting Ian Rush. We are happy with Aguero, but we still miss Torres.”
Benitez, like Reina, will enjoy a sort of homecoming this evening in his birthplace.
Although his late father was a staunch Atletico fan, the Liverpool manager became a Real supporter from an early age and went on to cut his teeth as a coach at youth levels at the Bernabeu.
However, Benitez doesn’t believe that upbringing will give him extra motivation to win this evening.
“My town now is Liverpool but I’m from Madrid and I’m always pleased to be here,” he says. “I always have a very good feeling about Atletico and their supporters so I will enjoy it and hope to win.
“My dad was an Atletico Madrid supporter. When I was playing for Real Madrid youth team he wondered why I was there as Atletico needed players more! But I’m sure he would be proud of me on Wednesday.
“But I am not worried about my own personal support, we just want to win for our own fans.
“It doesn’t matter that Atletico have lost to Madrid and Barcelona recently. They are big teams. We are playing in the Vicente Calderon and we know it will be difficult.
“Their fans are very good. If they begin playing well and the fans get behind them, it can be dangerous for us.”
Meanwhile, Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool can post a “huge statement” with victory this evening.
“Fatigue can be a problem when you are playing every three or four days, but we prepare so thoroughly, I know it won’t hold us back,” he says.
“The club is run so professionally, and, since the Wigan game on Saturday, it has been the usual routine of recovery drinks, ice baths, the right food and plenty of rest.
“It has been a gruelling few weeks, but we will all be up for it by the time kick-off arrives on Wednesday.
“If we can win, it will send out a huge statement. It is going to be a big challenge, but all we are thinking about is taking another decisive step towards the knockout stages.”
Sentiment has no doubt played its part in swaying Miguel Reina, famously too nervous to usually watch his son play, to attend Liverpool’s latest Champions League encounter.
Reina senior was a member of the Atletico Madrid team that came within seconds of lifting the European Cup in 1974 before being steamrollered by Bayern Munich in the replay.
He will break with tradition tonight when father and son are reunited in their home-town in a Group D clash in which victory would move Liverpool to the brink of qualification for the knockout stages.
“It’s in the right place and a welcome place for him, it’s in Madrid and is quite near to where I am from,” says Reina. “It’s a big game and he will enjoy it.
“But he’s getting worse with the nerves. He was a keeper and it’s not easy for him with me being a keeper as well. He can see the same problems and same kind of pressure on his son.
“Usually, if he can avoid watching the big games and stay calm at home, it’s better for him!
“Coming to Atletico is always a big test against a big club that is doing the right things at the moment, especially in the Champions League. I don’t think we are favourites. It’s always a difficult place to come to.
“It’s going to be a great game, and we’re both in a great situation. If we can win then we are almost done the first job and can be more focused on the league.”
Despite Atletico’s 100% start ensuring they lead Group D on goal difference ahead of Liverpool, coach Javier Aguirre is under pressure after three successive league defeats.
Rumours sweeping Madrid yesterday were that Sergio Aguero, the Argentine wonderkid, would be rested after a series of below-par performances, hampered by niggling injury.
But Reina says: “Aguero is a fantastic player but Atletico Madrid are not just him. They also have good players like Simao and Forlan, who I know personally. But Aguero is one of the best.”
Liverpool have made life difficult for themselves this season, coming from behind to secure victory for a fifth time in 12 games with a 3-2 win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
They performed a similar feat in their opening group game in Marseille but Reina admits Benitez’s side cannot afford another slow start this evening.
“The team has great character and we’re showing we never give up on a result, but we have to improve to make sure we don’t keep on falling behind all the time,” he says.
Although Fernando Torres’s hamstring complaint has denied the striker an emotional return to his former stamping ground, there will still be some attacking players hoping to prosper against their former club.
Luis Garcia passed Torres on his way to the Spanish capital while Florent Sinama-Pongolle travelled a more circuitous route, arriving at Atletico this summer after impressing in La Liga with Recreativo.
The latter in particular has caught the eye already at the Vicente Calderon as deputy for the injured Diego Forlan earlier in the campaign.
“It may surprise some people here, after he struggled to establish himself in the Liverpool team, but he was only a young boy then,” says Albert Riera. “He needed more time to develop, and people are beginning to see what he is capable of. He is playing in a really good team, and Liverpool fans will see a far better player than the one who was at Anfield.”
It’s Torres, though, who remains revered in these parts. One fan outside the stadium where the teams trained last night pointed to the club badge on his Atletico shirt, and said: “That is what Torres means. He is Atletico.
“He was with us from a young child. Forgetting him would be like Liverpool fans forgetting Ian Rush. We are happy with Aguero, but we still miss Torres.”
Benitez, like Reina, will enjoy a sort of homecoming this evening in his birthplace.
Although his late father was a staunch Atletico fan, the Liverpool manager became a Real supporter from an early age and went on to cut his teeth as a coach at youth levels at the Bernabeu.
However, Benitez doesn’t believe that upbringing will give him extra motivation to win this evening.
“My town now is Liverpool but I’m from Madrid and I’m always pleased to be here,” he says. “I always have a very good feeling about Atletico and their supporters so I will enjoy it and hope to win.
“My dad was an Atletico Madrid supporter. When I was playing for Real Madrid youth team he wondered why I was there as Atletico needed players more! But I’m sure he would be proud of me on Wednesday.
“But I am not worried about my own personal support, we just want to win for our own fans.
“It doesn’t matter that Atletico have lost to Madrid and Barcelona recently. They are big teams. We are playing in the Vicente Calderon and we know it will be difficult.
“Their fans are very good. If they begin playing well and the fans get behind them, it can be dangerous for us.”
Meanwhile, Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool can post a “huge statement” with victory this evening.
“Fatigue can be a problem when you are playing every three or four days, but we prepare so thoroughly, I know it won’t hold us back,” he says.
“The club is run so professionally, and, since the Wigan game on Saturday, it has been the usual routine of recovery drinks, ice baths, the right food and plenty of rest.
“It has been a gruelling few weeks, but we will all be up for it by the time kick-off arrives on Wednesday.
“If we can win, it will send out a huge statement. It is going to be a big challenge, but all we are thinking about is taking another decisive step towards the knockout stages.”
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