Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez pronounced himself happy with preparations following the Marathon 24 hour journey to Madrid.
Rafa gave an uplifting Press Conference on the train from Paris to Bordeaux earlier today.
The Liverpool boss claimed that the long and ardous journey would not drain the players, rather it would have a galvanising effect on the team as it prepares to play the first leg of their Europa League semi-final game against Atheletico Madrid tonight.
‘The trip has been surprisingly good, because you can see how everyone is sticking together,’ he said. ‘Sometimes you can take positives from something like this and, for us, it is the way the players have had a better team experience.
‘Normally, we would be on a plane for maybe two hours, with everyone watching the film or using their PlayStation or something like that. But this has been different. They have been together for a long time and have talked more and done other stuff as a group.
‘It has been difficult for everyone, because we are all tired. But you could see the players in the railway station, all talking to each other in different groups, then changing round to speak to others, rather than just sticking in their normal groups.’
So Rafa is obviously hoping for some team-bonding from the trip, lets hope so Rafa.
Come on ye Reds!