by Dundalk » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:59 pm
Hernan Crespo has admitted to skysports.com that victory over Liverpool would be 'sweet revenge' for him.
Crespo scored against Liverpool for Inter's city rivals Milan in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final before The Reds' stirring comeback in Istanbul.
Crespo is still feeling the pain from that defeat and would love to get his own back on Rafa Benitez and his men.
"For me to score against Liverpool is something special, because I still remember the defeat in the final of the Champions League against Milan," he told skysports.com.
"I have those memories in my head and a victory against The Reds would be sweet revenge for me."
The Argentine admits that he cannot forget what happened to him and Milan in 2005.
"Never in my life will I erase those memories, it was an incredible defeat in the second half, we had a 3-0 lead and with chances for me. These things only happen once in a thousand times in football," he said.
"Now my dream is score the winner in our own stadium."
Crespo admits that Inter face an uphill task to seal qualification to the quarter-finals with Liverpool holding a 2-0 lead from the first-leg.
"To progress is very difficult, to score two goals against Liverpool is complicated but not impossible," he said.
"For Inter this is like our final of the Champions League and we need a perfect match.
"The key in the San Siro will be our defence, it is essential we do not concede and score the first goal quickly.
"If we finish the first half at 1-0 minimum then we can have a miracle.
"Inter is not an inferior team in comparison with Liverpool, the 2-0 scoreline at Anfield was deceiving.
"We believe Liverpool will counter-attack here in Milan which is a risk for us but after defeat in England it will be a necessary risk for us."
Crespo is fit and ready to face Liverpool and he hopes to start the match.
"I am in perfect shape physically and I am ready to play, the decision rests with the coach but I am not under any illusions after I didn't play at Anfield," he said.
Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar also believes the first leg defeat was harsh on his side.
"Anfield was very deceptive, the goal of Steven Gerrard was very hard on us as in that moment we were fighting with 10-men and 1-0 was still positive - Inter did not deserve to get beat 2-0," he told skysports.com.
Cesar insists that Inter should not worry too much about Liverpool.
"I am not missing any sleep about the Reds' attack, they are dangerous but we will have our chances in the 90 minutes," he said.
"We have seen many videos of Fernando Torres and he is dangerous with his head and foot and we will have to stop him working in Milan.
"We need to create many chances to score but also in defence we have to be a success and keep it to zero. That is what the coach is asking for."
Cesar thinks Inter need to go into the match with a positive frame of mind.
"The atmosphere in the San Siro will be spectacular, the people will be with us and can take us through," he said.
"It is necessary for us to believe we are better than Liverpool and that the match in Liverpool was an accident.
"Inter are enormous at home and this week we can show Europe that we are champions."