FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.01.2008 22:21

Sevilla match the most important

Berta Brau

Frank Rijkaard is satisfied with the job his players are doing and is convinced nothing is decided yet. “A lot of things can happen in the league, the most important thing is to do our job” he said.

Frank Rijkaard feels the game against Sevilla at the Camp Nou is the most important that they have played to date. “The nest game is always the most important but perhaps the Sevilla game is more important than others because qualification matters”.

How to beat Sevilla

The Dutchman showed his respect for tonight’s visitors by saying “They are a team that has achieved a lot in recent years and are highly valued in present day football. They are a good team and so it is important for us to get through the round … I don’t want to think about the possibility of going out, we have the mentality to get the right results.”

Happy with the work done

Barça have the best defensive record of all teams at the half way stage of league competition, and Rijkaard knows how important that statistic is. “We have not scored as much as in other seasons but neither have we let in many goals, but the players that need to make a difference have found their form”. He added that they will “need to find the right balance” in tonight’s match”.

Asked how he has coped without the likes of Ronaldinho, Deco and Henry, the manager said “they are important for us, but when they weren’t available it was good that their replacements inspired confidence”.

“With points we’ll be champions”

He also reiterated what he has said earlier about nothing being lost yet. “A lot of things can happen in the league, the important thing is to do our job ... We have had to fight against everything and if we can keep winning points then we’ll be champions”.

Henry, a generous leader

He then went on to speak about Thierry Henry, who he said “is getting better. He played well against Sevilla and also against Murcia, and if he stays like that he’ll help the team a lot, not only because of his football but also his presence and personality.” Frank Rijkaard also commented on the French star’s generosity on the ball, a facet he considers to be particularly important.

Rijkaard does not think he is asking too much of a player that only recently returned from injury. “He is playing his best football since he came here and that’s important for the group, when he’s playing well, the best thing is play him”.