By Charlie Caroe
Last Updated: 9:27am GMT 11/03/2008
Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has said he doesn't think Rafael Benitez will spring any surprises when Liverpool play their Champions League last 16 second leg tie in the San Siro tonight.
Mancini, whose team are looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from Anfield, said: "I don't think Liverpool will play to defend, even if they are a team who have that ability.
"They will play their game, unless they have the 'luck' we had in the first leg, to find themselves down to 10 men after half an hour.
"Do I expect surprises from Benitez? No, we know each other well. And when you play every three days, you only think about saving energy."
The Inter coach, who has a six-point advantage over Roma in the race for the Serie A title, is aware of what is needed against the 2005 Champions.
He said: "Only those players who are able to give 100 per cent and last for 120 minutes will play.
"It will have to be the perfect match, with our minds in tuned so as not to allow Liverpool any space.
"I am not a pessimist, I think that anything is possible. Only I don't think that a whole season should rest on one game, whatever the result."
Mancini, 43, has called on the Milan crowd to get behind their team.
He said: "I can tell you from my own experience as a player. A full San Siro can make the difference.
"But it is also clearly down to us because if we play well then the crowd can be even more important."
Last Updated: 9:27am GMT 11/03/2008
Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has said he doesn't think Rafael Benitez will spring any surprises when Liverpool play their Champions League last 16 second leg tie in the San Siro tonight.
Mancini, whose team are looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from Anfield, said: "I don't think Liverpool will play to defend, even if they are a team who have that ability.
"They will play their game, unless they have the 'luck' we had in the first leg, to find themselves down to 10 men after half an hour.
"Do I expect surprises from Benitez? No, we know each other well. And when you play every three days, you only think about saving energy."
The Inter coach, who has a six-point advantage over Roma in the race for the Serie A title, is aware of what is needed against the 2005 Champions.
He said: "Only those players who are able to give 100 per cent and last for 120 minutes will play.
"It will have to be the perfect match, with our minds in tuned so as not to allow Liverpool any space.
"I am not a pessimist, I think that anything is possible. Only I don't think that a whole season should rest on one game, whatever the result."
Mancini, 43, has called on the Milan crowd to get behind their team.
He said: "I can tell you from my own experience as a player. A full San Siro can make the difference.
"But it is also clearly down to us because if we play well then the crowd can be even more important."
.
utusanLFC:
You see that Inter Milan's logo up there? Tonight would be the last time I use it. As tomorrow, that team will play in Serie A only. And LFC will go to the last 8 of Champions League. Bye bye Inter!
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