Drogba hits out at Benitez

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Benitez fanned the flames ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg between the two teams by claiming Drogba goes down too easily, while also revealing he has compiled a four-year dossier of the striker's alleged 'diving' antics.

"Perhaps he is looking for something to destabilise us before the match," Drogba told French daily L'Equipe. "Benitez was a manager I respected a lot. Until now, I found him not only very competent but also classy. But he has really disappointed me here."

The Ivory Coast international insists he was manhandled by Liverpool centre-halves Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel at Anfield and believes Benitez is simply playing mind games.

He added: "His words demonstrate a weakness. A top manager would never go so low to attack a player.

"Maybe he should concentrate on his own team's game and if he wants me to stay on my feet, maybe he should tell his defenders to stop hitting me.

"In the first leg, Carragher and the other one (Skrtel) didn't stop. And not just with me. I finished the match with bruises everywhere.

"Last year, I broke a rib against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. Strangely, that escapes the statistics of Benitez.

"It will not affect me. If I fall, I will always get up. The best response I can give will be on the pitch."