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Home  » Sports » Mourinho, Benitez play down clash

Mourinho, Benitez play down clash

By Clare Lovell
December 06, 2005 12:26 IST
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is more concerned with next Saturday's Premier League clash against Wigan Athletic than taking Champions League revenge against Liverpool on Tuesday.

The Portuguese coach's English champions meet the European Cup holders at Stamford Bridge in the final Group G game with the two sides already through to the knockout stage and only first place in the section at stake.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is also more worried about other fixtures, with the World Club Championship looming in Japan later in the month.

Mourinho said he and the Chelsea players would not be driven by an overwhelming desire to beat the side that knocked them out of the competition in the semi-finals last season.

"We are not thinking about revenge. Maybe they are because we beat them 4-1 (in the league earlier this season)," a relaxed-looking Mourinho told a news conference on Monday.

"I would prefer to beat Wigan than Liverpool...because Wigan is three more points in the Premier League.

"To be first or second (in Group G) has no consequence. You never know who you will meet, Juventus or Bayern Munich. I can't see a big difference.

"There are many other examples like Olympique Lyon and Real Madrid. Would you prefer to play Real Madrid or Lyon? In almost every group it's the same picture."

In Liverpool in September the teams drew 0-0 in a cagey Champions League game, the second of the group stage.

Chelsea, who are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League, will go into Tuesday's fixture motivated only by their desire for victory, said Mourinho.

"I just look at it as a game, and in every game you want to win," he said.

NO ROTATION

Mourinho said rotation of his multi-national squad was not an option because of injuries.

Argentina striker Hernan Crespo (hip), England midfielder Joe Cole (calf), France midfielder Claude Makelele (knee) and England right back Glen Johnson (knee) are unfit.

Benitez has hinted he will field a weaker team, leaving out Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso and suggesting others might also be rested.

"As a manager you want to win but you also have other responsibilities. You have to think about other games in the future. I want my players fit," he said.

Liverpool defender Dietmar Hamann said the players would like to finish top of the group against a side he considered the best in Europe.

But, echoing the managers, Hamann added: "It's not the end of the world if we don't".

Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech said after seven meetings with Liverpool in the last two seasons and only one defeat, Chelsea were well acquainted with their Premier League rivals.

"There are no more surprises," he said. "Tomorrow is all about the performance on the night."

Real Betis and Anderlecht, who have not won a point, meet in the other game in Group G, with Betis already qualified for the UEFA Cup and only pride to play for.

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Clare Lovell
Source: REUTERS
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