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Liverpool ravings, Lille whinging and a blind date at West Ham

February 22nd, 2007

Today’s UK and European football news summarised by Globet Sports International

Riise: Liverpool scorers written in stars
Riise reckoned it was written in the stars that both he and Bellamy would prove to be the Euro heroes. He said: “It was destiny for both of us I think. Craig and myself have had a difficult build-up but we’ve put it behind us. The team is happy and we are going to enjoy this. We’ve put things behind us very early, worked hard for the team and we will move forward.

“I don’t think I’ve ever scored a goal like that before. Looking back I could have taken a touch but when I got the ball from Bellamy I just thought ‘smash it’. He’s had a difficult time as well and I could see it meant a lot to him so I’m happy for him he scored. The whole team is, so all in all we did well.”

Boss Rafa Benitez admitted: “I am really pleased with the team winning here and Craig and John scoring the goals. “Maybe that was a coincidence but I am delighted with them both. “But I didn’t see Craig’s celebration because I thought the goalkeeper was going to catch it.”

Liverpool hero Bellamy: My best moment in football
The Reds achieved an historic win over Barca with strikes from Bellamy and John Arne Riise – an irony not lost on the Welshman. “You couldn’t make up what has happened tonight,” he said. “I’ve not been reading the papers so I’ve not been too bothered what people say. All I wanted to do was make the most of the special atmosphere and the build up to the game. I’ve been reasonably lucky in football, playing for my country and other big clubs, but this is my best moment in the game”.

However, despite two away goals, the striker insists no one at Anfield will be getting carried away. He said: “It was important at the final whistle that we didn’t milk the victory. The dressing room was actually quite subdued afterwards. Well, as subdued as it can be after a win at the Nou Camp. This is a great result but it is only half-time. We’ve got to go back to Anfield for a completely different game, so as good a result as this is, there’s still a long way to go.

“I take the rough with the smooth and to be honest I’m a bit gobsmacked tonight – coming here to the Nou Camp was something else. It’s also my boy’s 10th birthday today so it’s just been really special. “We wanted to hold them out for as long as possible but we knew it was going to be difficult. They are a top, top side and the reigning champions of Europe, but we’ve done a lot of work to prepare for this game and I think you could see that.”

Meanwhile, Riise paid tribute to Benitez’s tactical prowess. He said: “We knew we needed to enjoy it out there and believe in ourselves. To be fair we started the game very well. They scored but we knew that if we worked hard we would get a goal back. “The boss has shown tonight that, tactically, he’s one of the best around.”

Lille accuse Man Utd of dirty tricks
Midfielder Ludovic Obraniak said: “It is worse than frustrating – it is a total injustice. Although Giggs’ goal was not cheating, it showed a lack of fair play. It is yet another refereeing mistake. We will go to Manchester remembering what has happened and with a huge will to win.”

Striker Nicolas Fauvergue boasted: “We will go over to Manchester for the second leg aiming to win – and that will make everybody shut their mouths.” Lille midfielder Matthieu Chalme accused Giggs of dirty tricks. Chalme said: “You get a yellow card in the French league if you take a free-kick too quickly. It is infuriating to have lost to a trick of that nature. The ref denied us a goal that would have been given nine times out of 10 and gave United one that would have been ruled out nine times out of 10.”

Fellow midfielder Mathieu Bodmer added: “We lined up for the free-kick and waited for the ref to blow his whistle – as they do in the French league. Next thing we are turning towards the referee and seeing he’s awarded the goal. We tried to make a complaint but it did not result in anything. The fourth official could not understand what we were saying to him. The refereeing was bizarre. Next time we face a free-kick we will get someone to stand in front of the ball.”

West Ham boss Curbishley: We didn’t think it would be this tough
“It was like going on a blind date when I first met him [Magnusson] as I had never spoken to him before,” Curbishley said, in an interview to be shown on Football Night on Five tonight. “I don’t think any of us envisioned that the relationship was going to be tested so soon. When you’ve won one game in ten [league matches], there’s no hiding place. There’s no hiding place for me, the players and the chairman. I have had a whirlwind eight weeks, but the chairman has had a whirlwind ten weeks.

“Everywhere I look and go there is a West Ham fan. They’re not happy and I can understand that. We’re trying our hardest but it’s not been good enough. The milkman and postman are fans. They left me alone when I was Charlton Athletic manager. It brings added pressure. I took my father-in-law, who is 82, a West Ham plate out of the canteen and he won’t eat off anything else now. It is a different situation to Charlton as I live in amongst it [now].” 

Curbs also said: “I’ve not really had enough time to impose myself on the squad because the team’s changed every week. I found myself picking the team Friday mornings because of injuries and the lack of form.”

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Entry Filed under: English Football,European Football,Sports News & Results