FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.12.2006 18:01

Rijkaard: "We need one final push"

Frank Rijkaard has already put the FIFA Club World Cup disappointment behind him and is now totally focussed on the match against Atlético de Madrid on Thursday evening in Camp Nou.

The Dutch coach recognises that the trip to Japan has taken its' toll as Gianluca Zambrotta is injured and Rafa Márquez, Gio Van Bronckhorst and Edmílson all need to be rested. Despite that Rijkaard does not want any excuses made: "That is how things are," he said. "We have to prepare with the players that we have. I am not worried and have confidence that we can make a last big push against a good team. We have to play at our best and want to win."

Bouncing back

Statistics show that Barça normally bounce back from defeat with three or four consecutive victories, so a win against Atlético is due. Rijkaard is pleased that his team are set to take on one of the best away team's in the division. "We want to win and Atlético are one of the best teams to play because they have been doing very well lately and we need that motivation," he said. "I am pleased we are playing them. The team will have to work very hard and be at their best to win. Barça have to be favourites as we are at home, but it is a unique game being the last one of the year."

Yokohama is forgotten

Reflecting on the defeat against Internacional is something that Rijkaard is not prepared to enter into as he explained: "That is already forgotten. We must look forward. I said in all honesty at the time that I did not like losing, but that will not harm our confidence. Good things often come after big disappointments, although I do not believe in luck. I believe in a strong mentality and want to maintain that."

Reacting to Del Nido and Van Gaal

One thing that did mystify Rijkaard in the past few days was José del Nido's comments that the Dutchman would only coach Sevilla's B team. Reacting to the Andalucian club's president, the Barça boss stated: "It does not make sense. Why is he talking about me or FC Barcelona? He should concentrate on his own team. They are doing very wekk and I think that Juande (Ramos) is a great coach. This sounds like a great joke for a 14-year-old in a school playground. It is something from a cabaret or from the theatre."

Rijkaard also spoke out about Louis Van Gaal's criticism of Holland coach Marco Van Basten. "They are professional colleagues," the Barcelona trainer explained. "Why did he do it? What does he want to be, the coach of more teams? I do not understand. This is between friends. I do not understand why he would want to complicate the job of a colleague. It is daft. Besides, he has been the national team coach and did not talk about himself."