Next Game

Singha All-Stars v Chelsea

Wednesday, 17 July 2013, 14:00

Friendly Match

Benitez: Boos don't bother me

Rafa Benitez insists he was not bothered to be greeted to Stamford Bridge by a chorus of boos from Chelsea fans.

Last Updated: 26/11/12 at 09:43 Post Comment

Benitez' first game in charge since taking over as interim manager was a drab 0-0 draw with Manchester City.

But as he emerged from the tunnel at the beginning of the game, many home fans made it clear they were not happy with his appointment, or the dismissal of his predecessor Roberto di Matteo.

Benitez though brushed off the boos, telling Sky Sports: "I am focused on the game, I don't listen to the crowd.

"The main thing was the team on the pitch. I was not listening, I was just concentrating on the game.

"My experience in England is that when the fans are singing I don't understand what they say.

"I can understand the rivalry in the past (between Chelsea and Liverpool), but I am sure the majority of fans will understand I am a professional and I just want to do my job.

"It was a tough game against a good team, no clear chances for them or us. It's not the ideal (result) but to have a clean sheet and to see the spirit and mentality and work rate was quite positive.

"You could see they were trying really hard with and without the ball and against a great team they had some chances."

Asked what Benitez could do to win over the Chelsea fans, City boss Roberto Mancini said: "Win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win every game - only the results can help."

And Benitez agreed: "It's not a secret. It's true."

Torres

Benitez also admitted he was pleased with the display of Fernando Torres, who he restored to the starting line-up.

"Fernando was trying very hard, he had a good chance but the team has to help Fernando, all of us have to help Fernando because if we create more chances he will score goals," he said.

"You cannot expect a striker scoring all on his own and we have to create more and better chances for Fernando and all the offensive players.

"I am not trying to build a team around Fernando, I am trying to build a team around a striker, a second striker and the wingers, and Fernando is the striker at the moment so we create for him. If it is Daniel Sturridge or Victor Moses, we will do it for them.

"I am not happy if we have just one shot on-target but the main thing is you have more chances and then you are close."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

S

wap deal with ITV. Can't wait to see Stuart Pearce and Roy Keane giving each other the evils.

rambo
Southgate tipped for U-21 job

J

oe has signed John Scales instead.

rambo
Newcastle pull Douglas deal

D

oes the medical involve some sort of dressage event?

shabtastic
Carroll set for Hammers medical

Footer 365

Transfer news: Luis Suarez should not be blinded by Liverpool loyalty, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher says Luis Suarez should not be blinded by loyalty to Liverpool if Real Madrid make a big-money offer.

Confederations Cup: Brazil on verge of semi-finals after 2-0 win over Mexico

Neymar all but fired Brazil to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup as they defeated Mexico 2-0.

Transfer news: Feyenoord say Lex Immers will stay following links to Cardiff City

Feyenoord have moved to dismiss reports that midfielder Lex Immers could be on his way to Cardiff City.

Mail Box

'Bye Sunderland' & More Fixtures Reaction

The afternoon mailbox has plenty more views on the fixture list. Plus, a sublime piece of skill from Emile Heskey, more cool 'ballers and dull football matches...

One Guy's Genuinely Irked About Fixtures

A Gooner in the Mailbox seems to genuinely think that the world/fixture computer is against his team. Sigh. That, plus more cool footballers & Mike Ashley: Supervillain...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved