Benitez: Liverpool have intensity and Real Madrid, experience Champions League Analysed the Champions League Final

Nominated for 'Coach of the Year' for his magnificent season with Newcastle, Rafael Benitez (Madrid, 1960), has run the rule over both Liverpool and Real Madrid ahead of the Champions League final.

The Spaniard coached both clubs and won European football's top prize back in 2005.

Complete the sentence. Liverpool for Rafa Benitez is...

"It was a very satisfactory stage. It was the gateway to football of the highest level that was seen in England and, logically, is my home. My relationship with the city and the fans is great, so I will always be happy and grateful to Liverpool.

And Real Madrid is...

"Since I was little, since I was 13 years old, I was already in Madrid, I know the club very well and I have seen how it has evolved. I remember when we played against the first team and Vicente del Bosque.

"In my final stage in Madrid, those who understand will know the reason for what happened, but it was not as bad as people think because things were done with seriousness and professionalism. In any case, I am left with many years of good memories in Madrid.

Who will you support?

"I have a lot of respect for Liverpool and Real Madrid. All I can do is wait... and let the best guy win."

How do you see the final from a football point of view?

"It's going to be an interesting final. Seeing Real Madrid against Juventus and Bayern you realise that they have experience and quality, and they know how to handle games in extreme situations .. That's a plus.

"Liverpool, on the other hand, play with a lot of intensity, quality, pace... The pace of the Premier League is far superior to that of other leagues as you saw for yourselves against Roma, for example."

Do not you see a clear favourite?

"No. The result is open. Both have options to win. A goal one way or another can change everything because they are fairly even. Anything can happen."

You know what that is like. In Istanbul 'your' Liverpool were losing 3-0 and ended up with the best comeback ever in a Champions League final. What was the secret?

"We were 2-0 down and let the third goal in just before the break. In that moment you have to try to recover and motivate your players... in English. That was the biggest difficulty I had. What I said, basically, was: 'We have nothing to lose, there are 45 minutes to try to change things and, if we score a goal, we will get into the game.'"

You guided Liverpool to two Champions League finals, winning in 2005 and losing, also against Milan, in 2007. Are you surprised to see the 'Pool' in another final 11 years later?

"No, because if you follow the Premier League you'll see it's a very high level. We had 20 million euros for signings and look now! The English top flight has been evolving, has become richer and that has allowed access to more expensive players. Liverpool have a good coach, good players... I think it's easier now for them to reach a final."

Are Benitez's Liverpool and Klopp's Liverpool similar?

"They don't resemble each other in almost anything. Perhaps in enthusiasm and that of the fans. This is a team based on three attackers of a very high level, a hard-working midfield, and then they have spent a lot in defence to avoid the problems they had. It's a well-made team."

Your team tried to stop Messi with Arbeloa at left-back. How do Real stop Salah?

"The difference between Salah and that Messi is that Barcelona played with a fixed front line and Salah has more mobility. That makes it more difficult to stop him."

Is Liverpool 'more Klopp' without Coutinho?

"Liverpool are fine, but with Coutinho, who is a great player, they were too. Yes it is true that now they are much more direct."

Zidane says that winning the League is "more difficult," but that the Champions League is the "best." You have two league titles and one Champions League. Do you agree with Zidane?

"Winning any title is difficult, depending on the team you have."

How can Liverpool be beaten?

"Madrid have the weapons to do it. The first goal, I insist, will depend a lot on the development of the final."