Rafa fears Italian ref's record of 'favouring' home sides

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The Liverpool boss has questioned the 40-year-old's European refereeing record, in which five of the last six games he has taken charge of have ended in home wins.

Only one - ironically Chelsea's trip to Valencia in October last year - finished with an away win and the Anfield boss has admitted he is concerned.

Benitez said: "In the last six games in Europe he has refereed, five times the local team have won and once they haven't. That was Valencia against Chelsea. It's very curious.

"If he knows he must be strong, that is okay. The first referee was not really good. We didn't get any decisions but hopefully it will be different now."

Benitez is particularly wary the Italian will be conned by Blues striker Didier Drogba.

"He [Drogba] is very, very strong but he falls down. He slips a lot," he said. "Everybody can see this every game, it is very clear and hopefully the Italian referee will see it as well."

With Chelsea having the advantage of the away goal gifted by John Arne Riise's rick in last week's 1-1 draw, Benitez knows his side need to beat Petr Cech at least once, and said: "We know that we have to score so we will try to score and win."