Sami Hyypia backs boss in tactics

By Redsfan
May 21 2005

Sami Hyypia has praised Rafael Benitez’s tactics and triumphs over Europes top managers in this season’s Champions League. Rafa has already outwitted Fabio Capello and Jose Mourinho and Sami believes he is capable of coming up with a plan to beat AC Milan in the final.

He said:

"We have done very well in the Champions League," he said. "The manager's tactics have worked very well and we have done the job on the pitch as well.

"The manager spends a lot of time analysing how the other team plays and he decides our tactics after that. Every game we have played in the knockout stages the tactics have been perfect.

"He's a very strong manager tactically and he's shown it this season. We've been inconsistent in the Premiership but then played really well in the Champions League.

"The manager knows European football better than maybe the Premiership. The new players have maybe been more suited to European football than the Premiership this season."

He added: "Nobody expected us to be in the final but we have done it and nobody can take that away from us. In the Champions League the team has been tremendous.

"Now we have a big chance of bringing the cup home. Nothing would be nicer than to bring it here with us on Thursday when we come back."