FCBARCELONA.CAT
Main menu
Content menu
Football
09.03.2007 16:18
Rijkaard: “Playing at home is an advantage”
The Barça coach believes that having the public behind his team will be a big help in defeating Real Madrid on Saturday, Rikjaard also refused to rule out Ronaldinho confirming that “he’s OK to play”.
In the press conference prior to the classic, Frank Rikjaard said that he believes both Barça and Real Madrid have moved on since being eliminated from the ‘Champions’ and that “this is another game, with two different teams”. Rikjaard pointed out “we have home advantage in front of our fans. That gives un a lot of encouragement”. Also, the Dutch coach says his team are in good shape and that the word pressure should be converted into motivation”.
Ronaldinho, available
Ronaldinho, who missed training with the rest of the group due to muscular problems on his left thigh, took part in Friday’s session behind closed doors. Regarding the Brazilian, Rikjaard said “he trained with the group for the first part and then separately, but he’s OK to play”. The Barça coach also commented that some of the other player returning after long injuries such as Eto’o and Messi are “getting better every day”.
Respect for the opposition
Even though the coach believes that playing at home is an advantage, Rikjaard was keen to show respect towards Real Madrid: “It’s an interesting game, but you can’t say who will play better, you must respect the opponent” The Dutchman did not want to make an issue of the supposed superiority of Barça over Madrid (5 points difference in the table), Rikjaard believes that superiority “must be shown on the pitch” and added that “we must train with the idea of giving a good impression to the fans. We must fight for that”.
Accepts Gudjonhsen opinion
During the press conference, Frank Rikjaard also spoke about the comments made by Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjonhsen, in which the Icelandic international suggested, “In some games extra sacrifice is necessary”. The coach said, “it’s been clarified within the dressing room”, and pointed out that “the player had also praised his team mates and when he spoke of the group he also includes himself”.
Motta is rested
Frank Rijkaard announced that he was giving a rest to Thiago Motta for the next few days:
“Last night (Thursday) we spoke and decided to give him a few days to come back with more
energy”. The Brazilian player had missed both training on Thursday and Friday for personal
reasons.
The coach, who is not a supporter of suspensions, took this decision “for the sake of the player and the team”. It is not the first time Rikjaard has taken such action with members of his squad. The Dutchman praised the footballing aptitude of the Barça number ‘3’ and said that the team was aware of his decision: “I told the captain and he then informed the rest of the players“.
The coach, who is not a supporter of suspensions, took this decision “for the sake of the player and the team”. It is not the first time Rikjaard has taken such action with members of his squad. The Dutchman praised the footballing aptitude of the Barça number ‘3’ and said that the team was aware of his decision: “I told the captain and he then informed the rest of the players“.
