UEFA Champs League
The Spain factor!
Reuters, Istanbul
Liverpool's Champions League chances against AC Milan could turn on the tactical decisions of a manager from Madrid, the passing of a Basque midfielder and the inventive style of a Catalan forward. The decisions made by another Spaniard in the thick of the action, referee Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez, might also help decide Wednesday's final but Liverpool insist they will gain no advantage from having a familiar face in charge of the game. "The nationality of the referee doesn't matter," said Xabi Alonso, the classy midfielder Liverpool signed from Real Sociedad. "He's a great professional and he's done very well in the past few years." Manager Rafa Benitez also played down the significance of the choice of the Asturian Mejuto Gonzalez, recalling the words of AC Milan president Adriano Galliani. "I remember that Galliani just said he was a good referee and there were no problems," Benitez said on Tuesday. Benitez, the Madrid-born coach who came to Liverpool after winning the UEFA Cup with Valencia, has surrounded himself with players from Spain. Luis Garcia, the former Barcelona winger, is Liverpool's top scorer in the Champions League this season with five goals and is the man most likely to unsettle the Milan defence with his effervescent style. Liverpool also have former Malaga defender Josemi and ex-Real Madrid youth team player Antonio Nunez in their squad, while Fernando Morientes, another Real old boy, is ineligible. "We know we're being followed by a lot of people back in Spain," said Alonso, who is set to reclaim his place in midfield after missing the second leg of the semi-final against Chelsea because of suspension. Benitez has spent much of his spare time since joining Liverpool watching videos to immerse himself in the history of the club. Liverpool won the European Cup four times between 1977 and 1984, although this will be their first final since 1985. His first duty is to the local fans who have given the team heroic support on their run to the final but he will also be thinking of the people back in Spain when Liverpool take to the field at the Ataturk Olympic stadium. "It's important for us to win this trophy for the supporters and for our people as well," he said. "We know how important this game is for us as individuals and for the club."
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