Rafa Benitez: Chelsea’s Ancelotti Is A Great Manager

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is looking forward to Sunday’s trip to the capital to face Chelsea, particularly as the game will give him the opportunity to tangle with Carlo Ancelotti once again.

The Italian was the manager of AC Milan when Benitez’s Reds completed a legendary comeback to win the Champions League in 2005, and he is a coach for whom the Spaniard has the utmost respect.

“It will be interesting because he is a great manager,” the Liverpool boss told his pre-match press conference. “We have played in finals, so it will be good to see him and hopefully we will meet in another final. He knows how to manage a top side, he has experience at AC Milan. He is also doing a good job here and has good players too.”

“Chelsea haven’t changed too much. They have changed the shape of the team a bit, but the style is still similar. Their fans are happy because when you win games everyone is happier. I have a lot of respect for Ancelotti. He is a nice man who wants to win. We have respect for each other.”

As for whether the game can be considered crucial to the title race at this stage of the season, Benitez feels that it is too early to say. The three points would certainly be welcome after the midweek Champions League disappointment at Fiorentina.