FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.03.2008 23:31

“We conceded the goals too easily”

Vanessa Forns

Visibly affected by the elimination from the King’s Cup, Frank Rijkaard pointed out the spirit and fight of his players but, at the same time, explained the reason for the defeat against Valencia as giving away three soft goals.

FC Barcelona have been knocked out of the King’s Cup after losing 3-2 in Mestalla. Despite the defeat, the Barcelona manager said he felt proud of the fighting spirit of his players up to the last moment and lamented the manner in which they gave the goals away: “I feel proud of the way the players fought as a team. It’s a difficult moment for us but I am with this team. The squad has worked really hard but we conceded goals too easily”.

3-1 – crucial moment

For Frank Rijkaard, the third Valencia goal, whren Barça had just got a goal back (2-1) was the key moment of the match: “We started the game well but we conceded a goal. Then we did everything we could and Valencia scored again. Despite everything, the team continued fighting and made it 2-1. But 3-1 killed us. It was a crucial moment. It’s a pity, and I think the team deserved more”.

Nobody to blame

The manager refused to single anyone out for blame for the defeat: “It’s not my way and I won’t do it. There’s always someone who wants to look for someone to blame and if that’s the case then look to me because I’m the manager of this team”. Finally, Frank Rijkaard said that “ we have to continue with this fighting spirit because other important moments will surely come when we can be happy. Nobody can say that this team doesn’t want it. We scored two goals here but it wasn’t enough, and of course something isn’t right”.