Rafael Benitez
Rafael 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...
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth16 April 1960
CityMadrid, Spain
player trying clubs
You cannot control the market, you cannot control the players, you cannot control the clubs. You can try - but we have done our best.
waiting ends seasons
You must wait until the end, and at the end of the season you can say it was a good or a bad season.
soccer player differences
The difference between players is not always the quality but their mentality.
soccer europe england
Before, I said that they were maybe the best supporters in England. Now maybe they are the best supporters in Europe.
biggest confidence difference football handle mentality physical season squad terms
In terms of the football and the mentality of the squad I think we have much more confidence in ourselves. The biggest difference for us this season is we know how to handle the physical games.
goal known meant rest saw top
If you saw the first half, you wouldn't have known who was top of the table. Conceding the first goal meant they could play as they like -- on the counter-attack -- for the rest of the game.
football goals good scoring
In my opinion, we had a good first-half and they had a good second-half. But football is all about scoring goals and we scored two and they only scored one,
air good team
I know this player. He is good in the air and can make this team stronger.
competition country pleased supporters
I know that this competition is important for the whole country and also to our supporters so I am pleased we are through.
crowded decisive final half middle park pass second
The final pass wasn't there in decisive moments. In the second half they crowded the middle of the park and we didn't have much in the way of chances.
approach beat coming confidence games
The games we have coming up are all going to be really important for us. We need to approach all of these games with confidence because we know we can beat any team.
games goes good player plays works
The idea is, he goes away, plays more games and comes back a better player. If it works out like that, it will be good for the player and for the club.
control newspapers talking terms
And he had a lot of control in terms of pressure, like talking to newspapers and the media,
game good last matched played team thinking three
The last game was not good for us but we matched them before and played at a very good level. All I am thinking about is my team and three more points.