Rafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudesis a Spanish football coach currently managing Newcastle United. He is the only manager in history to have won the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup...
supporters
I was with our supporters at the end. I could see him but he didn't want to.
control explain game
I can't explain how you can control a game for 40 minutes, it was one-way (traffic), and still lose.
beat cup good reach teams win
If you are going to win the FA Cup then you must first beat good teams to reach the final.
bad balance high
He's got high energy, always working and he's not bad with the ball. I think he can give us balance in midfield.
good won
He's had two good years with Valencia where he has won trophies. I know him well and he's a very good player.
asking compact defense good looked needed people score
We looked organized, compact in defense and scored two good goals. People said we needed to score and we managed that ... I think we did all the things people are asking of us.
fit injury last member problems season squad stay
He was unfortunate last season because he had so many injury problems, but if he can stay fit then he will be an important member of our squad this year.
attacking best experience gives goal goals loves score signed wealth
He hasn't been signed because he loves the club. He's been signed because he's one of the best goal scorers ever to play in the Premiership and he can score goals for us right now. He's got a wealth of experience and he gives us more attacking options.
decide depends fit full hope physical session training whether
He did a full training session and the day after he was injured. Now I hope that he will be fit again. It depends on his physical condition. We will decide whether he can play or not.
cup difficult shall tie
We know each other so well and when you play a cup tie you know it will always be a difficult tie. We shall see what happens.
goals good start
We started really well with two goals and good counter-attacks. But, after we conceded, it was difficult. But the most important thing is to start with a win.
controlled game half organised pressure second
We started off by controlling the game and were well organised and in the second half they did put some pressure on us but then we controlled the game at the end of the game,
good half pace second space
We had more space in the second half and more pace -- and at the end 2-0 is a good result.
advantage boy chances concentration defense four front hard last organized restrict team thinks
Pepe has an advantage because the team in front of him in defense are working so hard to restrict the chances we concede. The back four have been outstanding. They are organized and have better concentration than last season. But he is also an intelligent boy and he thinks hard about what he has to do in England.