Rocha ready to seize Standard chance

Having helped R. Standard de Liège to their first UEFA Champions League victory, a 2-0 defeat of Olympiacos FC on Wednesday, Ricardo Rocha told users in the uefa.com chatroom it is now "wide open" for the Belgian titleholders to secure a top-two finish in Group H. Citing his success with former club SL Benfica as one of his career highlights so far, the 31-year-old defender hopes to record another by winning a place in his country's FIFA World Cup squad, should Portugal overcome Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-offs on 14 and 18 November.

hasan: What did Standard change between losing to Olympiacos on Matchday 3 and then beating them on Matchday 4?

Ricardo Rocha: We didn't change anything. We shouldn't have lost the game [2-1] on Matchday 3. [On Wednesday] we showed that we have a good team and the ability to win. We deserved the victory.

jh1979: What are Standard's chances of making it into the top two in the group? Do you think Arsenal and Olympiacos will drop any more points?

Rocha: Everything is wide open. The next game is in London [against Arsenal] and it will be very difficult, but we should still think about qualifying for the next phase.

kenny: What is your favourite thing about playing in Belgium?

Rocha: I have only been here for a short period and I still haven't had much time to discover Belgium. I'm always training and playing, but it's a strong league with very competitive games.

alf: What is the highlight of your career so far?

Rocha: Winning the Portuguese Cup, league and Super Cup with Benfica, being called up to the Portuguese national team and playing in the Champions League.

tchichi: Which teams have impressed you most in the Champions League so far?

Rocha: This season the weaker teams have been creating problems for the stronger ones, and that is very healthy and good for the competition. A number of teams that are not so well known are performing well.

alftucp: Portugal have a lack of left-backs and with you playing in that position and doing a great job, are you dreaming about the World Cup?

Rocha: It's true that what is missing in my career is [playing in] a big competition with the national team and I dream about the World Cup. I do my best but it depends on the national coach [Carlos Queiroz] picking me.

Luis Congratulations on your victory against Olympiacos. As a former Braga and Benfica player, what do you make of their performances so far in the Portuguese league?

Rocha: Thanks. Benfica have a very strong team with a lot of very good players, but Braga have been amazing. They have defeated Benfica, Sporting and Porto and I hope that Braga will be able to keep on going until the end of the season. But, it's too early to know who will win it.

elf1: What are the characteristics of Belgian football compared to other places you have played?

Rocha: It's a very competitive championship and we have to do our best in every game to try and win. There's a lot of teams fighting for the top places, which is very good. The standard is good.

Robert: What do you consider to be your best position and your strengths on the pitch?

Rocha: I have usually played as a central defender, and I feel at my best in that position, but I try to do well in every position. The only thing I want is to help the team.

SC82: There are a lot of promising youngsters in this Standard side, such as Eliaquim Mangala and Mehdi Carcela-González. What do you think about their potential and do you feel a sense of responsibility to help them given your experience?

Ricardo: Standard have several very good youngsters, it's club's policy to produce young players. Of course, I try to guide them and advise them to get better and better. I and my colleagues feel that responsibility. They have a lot of potential.

Mittens77: Lisbon, London, Liege: which has been the nicest city to live in?

Rocha: Lisbon. I loved living in Lisbon. It has great weather, great food and I feel at home there.

KPA73: Ricardo, which one of your team-mates is the funniest in the dressing room?

Rocha: Oh, Victor Ramos, a Brazilian kid. He is very funny and we are always joking around. He's from Bahia, Brazil, and he's very shy but very funny at the same time.