MILAN - Hector Cuper press conference (3):
Were you irritated by Valencia coach Benitez' declarations regarding a
technical-tactical involution of Italian football?
I think Benitez has other problems to think about at the moment. But this is his
opinion and it should be respected, though it's obvious these are declarations
that come from the anger of being knocked out. Perhaps Benitez would do better
to try and understand the reasons why his team was eliminated.
A lot of teams, not just Italian ones, have had big problems when playing at
Valencia...
I noticed something during my experience on the Valencia bench. The fans behave
differently when the team plays a European cup competition match. The Mestalla
becomes a bolgia, the fans get behind their team and the coach in an exceptional
manner. Valencia always play great matches at the Mestalla.
What kind of form are the Champions League semi-finalists in?
It's the same as what I said before. Physically, they're all more or less on the
same level. There are three Italian sides in the semi-finals of the top
continental tournament. I think it's a very prestigious result.
