Majic.iE

Rafael Benitez won two La Liga titles in three years at the helm of Valencia. He took over from the great nearly man from Argentina, Hector Cuper, who lost two European cup finals with Valencia, and a Serie A championship on the last day of the season with Inter Milan.

MODEL FOR SUCCESS

Benitez’s model of success was simple. A tight defence, led by Argentinians Mauricio Pelligrino and Roberto Ayala and with veteran goalkeeper Santiago Canizares behind, conceded few goals. Very few goals in fact, only 27 in 38 games for both of their title winning seasons, 2001/2 and 2002/3. Amazingly, in their first championship season they scored fewer goals than the teams finishing in 2nd, 3rd or 4th place.

One reason for the success of these tactics in Spain could be the more adventurous style of play demanded by the fans. The weaker teams in La Liga are not content to try and settle for a nil nil as they know the big guys will probably score anyway. So they go for it and are occasionally successful.

SUCCESSFUL STYLE STIFLED

The smaller teams in the Premiership are far more willing to put ten men in front of the ball and try and grab a scoreless draw. This of course is their right but we might expect the bigger teams to know how to deal with it.

IF HE CAN'T ADAPT LIVERPOOL MUST!

With the top four over the last few years, there have been two apparent schools of thought. Ferguson and Wenger’s “we’ll score more than you”, versus Benitez and Mourinho’s “we’ll keep a clean sheet and nick a goal”. Mourinho was more successful, arguably due to a more talented , expensively assembled squad, and a greater willingness to make adventurous substitutions when called for. Mourinho won 2 titles in 3 years. Benitez has never finished higher than 3rd in 4 years.

As their recent changes of management now put Chelsea firmly in the first bracket, Benitez and Liverpool have now been left as the sole exponents of a defensive style among the genuine aspirants for the title.

Liverpool, when they play 4-5-1, which is what a midfield of Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Riera and Kuyt is – are not equipped to break down deep lying teams and struggle to score against them.

This system comes into its own when playing more attack minded opposition, such as a Spanish side, or the bigger English teams. Thus, Liverpool can beat Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal but draw nil all with the favourites for relegation.

Though he delivered a European Cup in his first season, Rafael Benitez knows that above all, Liverpool fans crave the league title they’ve been missing for 18 years. Now that Liverpool again look out of the title race, Rafa should hurry to get his new contract signed. The Club and fans may not be in such a generous mood looking back on another trophy-less season in May.