FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.03.2007 14:23

Rijkaard: “We are aware of our strengths”

Frank Rijkaard has said this Friday that his team is aware of its strengths going into the final stages of the season. He is pleased with the way the team is working, feels it would be right for Saviola to stay on at the club.

Rijkaard is happy with his players’ work-rate, but does not feel that all the rumours about new signings or certain players possibly leaving the club are helping matters. “The most important thing is for us to keep working as we go into the final stages of the season. The players are here to achieve something big. That is our motivation. There will always be news and rumours but the squad is working hard and the dynamics are positive ".

Ronaldinho

The Barça manager also claimed not have any doubts about Ronaldinho’s commitment to the club and his work, saying "he always makes an effort on the pitch and that is very important. We want our players to stay with us and for them to be happy here at Barça. I don’t think I have any players that need to work harder, they always do their best on the pitch and that has always been very important for us, and always will be”.

Neither does he have any doubt that Ronaldinho will stay. “He has always said that he is happy at Barça and he is under contract. The club does all it can to make sure players feel good here, and once again, the most important thing is for us to fight hard to achieve something big for the club and its members. There is nothing else to be said on the matter”.

Rijkaard was stunned this week to see that Brazil coach Dunga did not give the number 10 shirt to Ronaldinho. “I was very surprised because he is the personification of the number ten. I don’t know what his motives were, but it was surprising because that was not a natural decision”.

Saviola to stay?

As long as the club and player can agree terms, Rijkaard would like Javier Saviola to stay on at Barça. “I think he deserves to. He is a very effective footballer. He is working hard but we’ll just have to wait and see what comes out the negotiations”.

Rijkaard claimed that his decision to leave the Argentinian our of the weekend squad “has nothing to do with what he said this week. I spoke to him after training. I have seven forwards to choose from and I have picked five. You always have to choose. That does not mean he will not be playing in other games. He will get his chances.”

Deportivo

Rijkaard expects a tough game against Deportivo this Saturday. “This game can’t be compared to the one we played earlier this season” he said “Playing Barça at the Camp Nou is a motivation for any team, and that means Deportivo too. But we just have to worry about ourselves. We’ll soon see whether they have come to play defensively or offensively. But we are aware of our own strengths”.

Barça and the Copa America

The Copa America is being held in Venezuela from June 26 to July 15, and that clashes with the Copa del Rey final. If Barça qualify, Rijkaard may have to make do without some of his South American players, on which he said “Barça has to make itself available to help the players. When these things happen, we have to help. If a player is fit enough to play in the competition and is picked by his national manager, well, we have to help. Those are the rules. That’s the international fixture list. Of course we will be doing all we can to make sure Ronaldinho is there”.