By Mighty Reds
February 21 2006

Xabi Alonso is fit and part of the party that flew to Portugal for tonight’s Champions League game against Benfica. Manager, Rafael Benitez, hopes for his team to carry on in the same winning vein as they have of late. He said:

"The team is playing very well at the moment and we've just enjoyed good wins against the top 5.

"The Champions League is another competition and we know what we have to do. Our players have the experience of what it takes to win this competition and our idea tomorrow is the same, we want to score a goal and not concede if possible.

"It will be difficult because they are a good team with an experienced Manager and we have a lot of respect for them. They have a number of good players and their two central defenders are good in the air and can play the ball.

"Petit is a good player in midfield and of course there's Simao on the wing."

Benitez was asked about comments made by rival Managers this week, but he refused to be distracted from his team.

He said, "I like to see my team winning and not talk about other people, I have a clear idea about this. If people want to talk about us it must be because we're doing the right things and progressing."