Madrid memories give Lee a lift

Liverpool FC assistant manager Sammy Lee has "very happy memories" of his side's previous meeting with Real Madrid CF, with the Spanish champions' coach Juande Ramos aware that they have drawn "one of the strongest teams" in the last 16.

Single meeting
Madrid and Liverpool have met just once before, in the final of the 1980/81 European Champion Clubs' Cup in Paris, with Lee – then a young midfielder – on the winning side and Alan Kennedy scoring the only goal of the game nine minutes from time. "I have very happy memories of that game," said Lee, now 49. "Hopefully we will enjoy similar memories in February."

Undergoing treatment
The clubs meet again in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round, first in the Spanish capital on 25 February, then at Anfield on 10 March. Lee, who was speaking in place of manager Rafael Benítez while the manager undergoes treatment for kidney stones, said: "It's an excellent draw against a terrific club and a terrific institution, and for Liverpool to go and play against them is great."

'A wonderful tie'
Ramos, who came up against Liverpool once during his spell in charge at Tottenham Hotspur FC, with his side losing 2-0 at home last season, added: "Liverpool were one of the strongest teams we could have faced but they are similar in strength to us. We don't like the draw much but neither will they. Both teams are candidates to get through to the final stages and so it's going to be a wonderful tie."

'Not afraid'
The coach was sure that his opposite number, Benítez, would be pleased to be returning to his native city, adding: "Rafael Benítez knows Real Madrid very well and I know Liverpool perfectly. I know their way of working. They have good players like [Fernando] Torres, [Jamie] Carragher and Xabi Alonso. They are a complete team but we aren't afraid of anyone."

Mijatović confident
Sporting director Predrag Mijatović said: "At this level there are no easy teams and if you want to go far, the more difficult sides you can test yourself against the better. Liverpool have had some great campaigns in Europe in the past few years, unlike us, but I think our moment has arrived to do something more. We'll go into the tie with confidence."