FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.01.2007 21:25

Rijkaard in defence of his star player

Something which has come to characterise Frank Rijkaard is his defence of his players. A day after Ronaldinho appeared before the media, the Dutch coach has jumped to his defence.

Rijkaard admitted that the team is not going through its best moment, but this has not meant that his players have to be criticised "in training we're putting more emphasis on organisation". He also stressed that it is the team's responsibility to get the crowd going with their play and not the other way around: "we have to give a good image for the fans to feel proud of us. It makes us work hard in achieving the level necessary to achieve success". Rijkaard concluded that football "is action - reaction, so if you do something good, the fans appreciate it. I can't ask anything from them, they're just reacting normally. I have to thank the public for all the support they've given us in all the games".

The team list

A total of 17 players have been selected for the game against Celta de Vigo this Sunday. Belletti made the squad, despite being touch and go for the game. His inclusion into the squad has been a welcome relief for Frank Rijkaard due to Thuram and Sylvinho, who is out for a month, being ruled out. Speaking of Belletti recovery, Rijkaard said: "I'm surprised by his quick recovery, it's true, he's got over his injury much quicker than envisaged, it's good news".

Let Ronnie do his work

The Dutch coach is very clear in that Ronaldinho is "a determined player", no just for the play he displays "but the way he conveys himself': "Ronaldinho is also part of the team and we have to value the group. If the team's not good, it's not just one player. I don't understand why there's all the focus around just one player. ¿how may assists has he given?, ¿how many goals has he scored?. Let him do his work and trust in everything he has done and what he will come to do again".

Celta

Rijkaard admits the game against Celta "will not be easy" and that one of the keys "is to play without complications". Rijkaard knows the team like the rest of the teams in la Liga, "they will have added motivation". Finally, The Dutch coach remembered that the games against Celta "have always been good games and we've had to work hard to win them".

Iniesta for Giuly

From the general impression given off from Rijkaard, Ludovic Giuly could start the game on the bench. Rijkaard admitted that the French player "has worked very hard in this difficult time", and that "he losing a little strength". For that reason he believed it would be better to put Iniesta out of the right. His flexibility being the reason for his inclusion, "He's played in nearly every position and he's played well. He's intelligent and he has magnificent technical ability. Nearly every time his played out on the wing he's been dangerous, although I think his natural position is in the middle of the pitch. He creates openings and always supports his team mates.

Finally, Frank Rijkaard did not close the door to Gudjohnsen and Saviola being given a starting berth, despite never having begun a game together: "maybe it's an option some day, taking into account the form of both of them. I can't say it's impossible".