FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.11.2007 14:07

Rijkaard wants Barça to be more clinical

Sandra Sarmiento

Frank Rijkaard has told his FC Barcelona squad that he wants them to kill games off quickly and take their chances as he felt that they wasted several opportunities to bolster their victory in midweek over Rangers.

The Dutch coach is pleased with the way the team has been performing, but wants them to put the result beyond doubt to avoid any nerves creeping in. "They need to score more goals sooner rather than later," he said. "You cannot rest easy even when you are two goals ahead in modern football." After beating Rangers comfortably, Rijkaard stated in midweek that his only regret was that the Blaugrana had not scored five or six.

Working together

The attacking trio of Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry are beginning to find a true understanding and Rijkaard is pleased. "Messi and Ronaldinho are players that do not need much space to receive the ball," he explained. "You cannot compare them with Henry, because he is a more direct player. What is most important is that the three of them function together. Now when there is so much interplay between three great players like that, there have to be more goals. We need to be firmer and to finish teams off early. Other team can punish you if you play around too much and we have to be intelligent."

Winning away

Barça are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League, while in la Primera they have only let in eight. Rijkaard is, therefore, happy with his team's defence. "In general we have not let in many, apart from at Villarreal," he continued. "That shows that we are well organised and that the side is working well. Now all we need to do is make the difference by scoring goals at the other end."

The pending subject

In Camp Nou, the Blaugrana are unbeatable, but away from home they have had more problems. With only one win in five games on their travels, Rijkaard wants things to improve. "It is important to win games at home and pick up as many points as possible away," he stated. "That should be our motivation because we want a good season."

A difficult place to go

Getafe maybe in 15th place in the league with just 11 points from their opening 11 matches, but Rikaard knows they will be a tough team to face as they have lost just once at home this season. "It is a difficult place to go," he said. "They are playing well at home. They have not let in many goals and they are well organised and, lately, they have found some form. It will be an interesting game because they want to continue their run and we want to win too."

After losing in the Copa del Rey at the Alfonso Pérez last season, Rijkaard was not keen to consider that as a factor for this weekend's encounter. "That is history now. They have changed too, they have a new coach and players. It is true, however, that we suffered and that should mean we will be better prepared this time around."

Rijkaard then had words of praise for Laudrup. "He likes his teams to be organised, to have a lot of talent and technique too," the Barça boss stated. "He was a unique player and his teams play with his philosophy."

The same level

Finally, the Dutch coach was asked about Bojan Krkic and Giovani Dos Santos and their role in the team. "They are at the same level now and it depends on what the side needs at any given time as to who will play," he explained. On Andrés Iniesta he added that "he has trained as normal" and on Rafa Márquez he said that "he has a knock and we have decided not to take him".