FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.01.2007 19:20

"We have to work as hard or harder than the opposition"

Frank Rijkaard recognises that "on paper" FC Barcelona are superior to Nastic de Tarragona, however, this doesn't mean anything when the teams are on pitch. For the coach the key to a good result is "to work as hard or harder than the opposition".

Dutch coach, Frank Rijkaard, explained during the press conference that on Sunday against Nastic, his team has to "work as hard or harder than the opposition", despite recognising that "on paper" Barça are the favourites. He also confirmed that his team will have "the same motivation as always and will want to leave a good impression".

Physical improvement

For Frank Rijkaard, following the Christmas break, an improvement in physique is important. The coach believes that his team "wants to improve physically in order to put up a better fight on pitch". Regarding the game on Sunday "there'll be 20 players who can play in an array of positions" and he preferred to "say nothing" about if Saviola will start "so that no misjudgements will be made" before the game.

Praise for Flores

This Friday's press conference was not quite the same as they had been in the past, such that Frank Rijkaard and Paco Flores did it together. And the Barça coach wasted little in time in giving praise to his counterpart: "He is calm and experienced. I have a lot of respect to people whose circumstances are very different" explained the Dutch coach.

Zaragoza in the cup

Regarding the quarter final clash against Zaragoza, Rijkaard reacted by saying: "they will be two very interesting games", particularly since the team from Aragon has been responsible for knocking out Barça in the last two editions of the competition. He added: "it can't always be won" and that it was "for different reasons that Zaragoza created opportunities", which knocked the blaugrana out of the cup.