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Koeman pleased with result (PSV.nl)

13 sep 2006 - Source: PSV.nl

This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl

PSV head coach Ronald Koeman announced at the post-match press conference he was pleased with the outcome. "It was difficult to create anything because Liverpool defended with eight players behind the ball", Koeman remarked. Koeman admitted he was surprised by the Rafael Benítez’s remarkable rotation policy, leaving Steven Gerrard and several other regulars on the bench. “Very surprised indeed. We know Benitez changes his side quite a few times, but we had never expected this starting line-up.” At the end of the day Koeman was pleased with the result. “Gerrard struck the inside of the post at the death, so we might very well have slipped to defeat. It was hard for us to find an opening in their well-organised defence. They played with two blocks of four in defence, so they defended with eight players behind the ball. You need attacking ideas to create chances. We earned one or two opportunities after the break, but we offered too little to claim more than one point. We used our common sense and took some risks, but didn't want to fall into a trap they might be setting for us.” Koeman added he had deliberately not brought on Kluivert yet. "It all depended on the game. This was a top level game. We knew Patrick is not quite match fit yet, so there must be a reason to bring him on. But he will undoubtedly get playing time next Sunday”, explained Koeman. “All the teams in our group are well-matched: Galatasaray and Bordeaux also drew 0-0. We know we have been drawn with three other teams that are equally strong. We’ll have to be more attacking as we have to get more points away at Bordeaux or Galatasaray. Winning an away game would be marvellous.” Rafa' BenítezLiverpool boss ‘Rafa’ Benítez had little to add, but was pleased content with the point his side had earned. He explained his reasons for his rotation policy. “I have explained many times that we can’t play every game at one hundred per cent. We have a large squad to pick from and we can use different players. We have more options in every game and I always talk about a long race. I don’t talk about one game and two games. I think we brought on Gerrard at the right moment. We had enough clear chances to have scored one goal and claim maximum points", concluded the Spaniard.