FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.02.2008 15:05

“We have to make the most of the moment”

Sandra Sarmiento

Rijkaard asserted that in Glasgow Barça played “their best collective effort” but he doesn’t want his players to relax against Levante: “We have to come on in the right mindset”.

After a good two-month run, Barça are transmitting hope. Their display against Glasgow Celtic means we can face the decisive coming months with optimism. Yet Rijkaard doesn’t want to get too confident. “We have to make the most of the moment. We have to keep on. People shouldn’t take us for granted. But we have to come on against Levante in the right mindset. It’s great to receive praise, but it was just one game”.
The Celtic game

Barça recovered their playing style on their return to European football last Wednesday. They returned to their roots. “The team played well and won. We want to play good attractive football and do the job well. It was their best collective effort. They showed courage”.

Deco and Henry rested

The Levante game is the start to what will be an emotional week, with a visit to Vicente Calderón in midweek in the King’s Cup semi-final first leg. Because of this, and the upcoming fixtures, Rijkaard has decided to rest Henry, who’s played in the last 11 games, as well as Deco. “It’s a good moment to value things. We’ve got a full calendar of games coming up, some difficult teams. At least for the first time in a while I’ve got 20 players to choose from”.

A good moment for Ronaldinho

Rijkaard expressed his satisfaction with Ronaldinho’s performance at Celtic Park, and also said that his presence was important for team spirit. “He’s worked hard. The team played well in Glasgow, and so did he. He’s still got a lot to give”.

The situation in the league

Barça change the Champions League stage for the domestic one. They are only 5 points behind the leader and they have to focus on getting the maximum points possible. And then wait. “Madrid are top because they have played better so far. But we’re not giving in. We’re prepared to fight in any competition. The main thing is that we keep on winning our games. There’s no use always looking at what the other team is doing”.

The Levante game

Bottom placed Levante are Barça’s league opponents on Sunday. Paradoxically, their grave economic crisis has coincided with their being the fifth best team of the second half of the league, with 9 points from a possible 16. Rijkaard expressed his solidarity with the Levante players: “I hope they can sort things out for the players and the employees. When these things happen, it can bring the players closer. It could cause then to react on the pitch.