Romanian Journalists Berate Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez Ahead Of Europa League Tie

Benitez asked why his "silhouette" has changed in past five years.

By Alan Dawson
25-Feb-2010 8:26:00 AM

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez became embroiled in a bizarre pre-match press conference when Romanian journalists appeared to berate the Spaniard over his weight, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
The Reds boss was fielding questions relating to the club's concluding Europa League tie with Unirea Urziceni, yet reporters from Romania sought to get a rise out of the unswervingly diplomatic Benitez.
When probed as to whether Liverpool were underestimating Unirea, he said: "Not at all. I just had to work out what would be the best preparation for the team, and I just felt that working on formations and set-pieces at Melwood before, rather than after, a three-hour flight would be the right option.
"As for after the game, if it goes to extra-time, the plane will wait, because it is a charter. Don't make the mistake of thinking we are taking anything for granted," he warned.
He was then asked for his thoughts about chants from the terraces predicting his sacking in the morning.
"I don't listen to them. When you are on the sidelines, watching your team, you are not aware of anything else. You are in the zone and concentrating only on what is happening on the pitch. Anyway, I don't always understand. My English still isn't all that good." Toward's the end of the conference, one reporter opted for a more personal approach.
"The last time I saw you, Mr Benitez, was at the 2005 Champions' League final, and your, erm, silhouette seems to have changed since then. Why is that?" One bold journalist asked.
"It is the stress of having to answer so many questions from the press. Thank you and goodnight."