FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.01.2008 23:59

“We’ve got to finish the job at the Nou Camp”

Vanessa Forns

Frank Rijkaard was upbeat after the draw in Villarreal and stressed that in the return game: “we’ll be at home, which on paper at least is an advantage - we have to make sure we finish off job at the Nou Camp”.

Although Rijkaard insisted on showing respect for Villarreal ahead of the return game next Thursday, he stressed the importance of playing at home and reckoned: “we’ll be going all out for a semi-final spot – we have to prepare the game thoroughly and then do the job on the night”.

Praise for Valdes

The boss was adamant that: “tonight’s game wasn’t easy at all – Villarreal had there chances”, whilst congratulating his players who: “put in a good performance, it’s just a pity we didn’t get a goal with all the chances we created” Rijkaard also had words of praise for Victor Valdes: “he made some great saves in the game”.

Chances created

For Rijkaard, the game began well for Barca: “we were clear as to where we going at the start – always looking to attack, but after the first 20-25 minutes we lost our way a bit –maybe because we just couldn’t get the goal we were after. I think we could have reacted a bit better to that, but with Messi on after the break, we started to create more chances again”.

“The goals will come”

The team’s scored just once in the last three games, but Rijkaard is refusing to panic: “that’s a problem if the team’s also failing to create chances, but that’s not the case right now. We just have to keep on working hard –the goals will come”.