GUUS HIDDINK has admitted the Champions League remains the “ultimate” challenge for both players and coaches and is relishing Chelsea’s latest collision with Liverpool as he attempts to become only the third manager to win the European Cup with two different clubs.
Hiddink, who claimed the trophy with PSV Eindhoven in 1988 and would emulate Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld by claiming it for Chelsea, was pleasantly surprised by his players’ reaction to being informed of the draw during a break in training at Cobham.
Next month’s first leg at Anfield will be the 23rd meeting between the sides since Rafael Benitez took up the reins on Merseyside, though, while those matches have been acrimonious on occasion, Chelsea’s players appeared to welcome the opportunity to confront a team who have defeated them twice in the Premier League this term.
“We were training when the draw was made and one of our officials came over to tell us who we would play,” said Hiddink. “I was listening and watching their reactions. They were asking: ‘Who did we get? Who?’ Then, when it was confirmed as Liverpool, there was no: ‘Oh, not again.‘ It was a good reaction, all enthusiastic, and that’s positive for us. We’ll fight for every chance we have in the Premier League this year but, realistically, the Champions League is the one every manager and player dreams of. I say that knowing there are more losers than winners in this tournament, but that’s the ultimate challenge for any player and coach.”
Hiddink has only once previously taken a side to Anfield, his Netehrlands team beating the Republic of Ireland in a qualification play-off ahead of Euro 96 which was settled by Patrick Kluivert’s goals.
“I love the atmosphere in tight games at places like Liverpool,” he added. “As for winning the Champions League twice, the first time was at the beginning of my career. Now I’m getting a little grey towards the end of my career. It would be perfect. As for the players, you just have to see their reaction this morning when they heard the news.”
Benitez maintains that holders Manchester United are now favourites to retain their Champions League crown. He said: “Manchester United must now be favourites – they have an easier draw than us. Our half of the draw is the more difficult.”
Benitez added that he was pleased the prospect of Liverpool having to play on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster was now gone.
United manager Alex Ferguson welcomed the draw. “This is a good draw for us,” Ferguson said after United were drawn to play the first leg at home. “The only thing you hope is that you don’t lose a goal in the home tie.” (Guardian Service)
