UEFA Champions League - Simão a thorn in Liverpool's side - News
Simão a thorn in Liverpool's side
Monday, November 3, 2008
by Michael Harrold
Article summary
Having scored a terrific goal for SL Benfica to help knock Liverpool FC out two years ago and another against the Reds for Club Atlético de Madrid two weeks back, Simão looks ahead to his Anfield return with confidence.
It is a goal that will live long in the memory. Simão collected the ball on the left five metres outside the Liverpool FC area and, after working space to shoot, fired an unstoppable drive past José Reina and into the top left corner of the goal. SL Benfica were ahead 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate and on course to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in eleven years.
'Madness' Now with Club Atlético de Madrid, Simão is happy to recall that March night two years ago. "Madness," he tells uefa.com. "Madness and happiness and everything because it was a fantastic match and a beautiful goal. It is one I'll never forget." Benfica would go on to win 2-0 to knock out the defending champions, and three seasons on the 29-year-old is doing his best to thwart Liverpool's ambitions once again. Simão scored Atlético's 83rd-minute equaliser at the Vicente Calderón Stadium on Matchday 3 two weeks ago to earn his side a point and a share of the lead in Group D going into the return fixture. Another on Tuesday could confirm their place in the knockout rounds.
'Fantastic match' Atlético are certainly making the most of their first appearance in the competition in 12 years after seeing off FC Schalke 04 in the third qualifying round. "[It means] a lot for the club, for the fans and the players who have never played in the Champions League before," said Simão, who has been in terrific form since returning from injury on 18 October. "We had a very hard first game against Schalke which we lost and a lot of people didn't believe we would qualify. But at home at the Calderon we played a fantastic match and now we're in the Champions League. That's really important for the club as it gives us a very positive image. It's a very important competition and all the best players want to play in it."
'Fast and direct' It also gives Simão the chance to showcase his talents in England once again. Simão was linked with a move to Anfield before joining Atlético from Benfica two summers ago, and he makes no secret of his desire to one day play in the Premier League. With Portugal team-mates Deco, José Bosingwa, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Carvalho and Nani all thriving in England, Simão would no doubt feel at home. "It's still a dream of mine to play in England," he said. "I had the chance to sign for Liverpool. To me the best leagues are the Spanish and English ones. In England the football is very fast and direct and I'd like to play there one day." One English player above all others impresses Simão. "[Steven] Gerrard is an exemplary player and is still the main player at Liverpool," he said. "He's fantastic so we have to watch his movement and stop him trying to score." Do that and Simão could soon have more reason to celebrate at Anfield.
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