FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.04.2008 20:25

Rijkaard: “You have to believe it’s possible”

Sandra Sarmiento / Anna Segura

The Barça manager thinks that in order to reach the final in Moscow “we’ll have to play our game, hold onto the ball and take our chances.” Rijkaard says the side has trained hard for the match and has even worked on penalties.

Before the team’s last training session prior to the return leg with Manchester United, Frank Rijkaard spoke to the media and set out what his side needs to do to reach the Champions League final on 21 May in Moscow.

What the team has to do

In order to reach the final in Moscow Rijkaard thinks that “we have to score, try to play our game and not let them dictate the match”. The Barça coach added that the team needs to keep possession of the ball and take its chances.

Little things will decide

Frank Rijkaard thinks it will be a “very even game between two teams that are in form. Matches between two big sides are always decided by little things.” Barça’s coach went on to say that “we need to make a big effort to get through, but we are ready and we’ll have to fight and do the business on the pitch.”

Rijkaard relishes playing games like this and is optimistic about reaching Moscow: “We have a really good chance. You have to believe it’s possible and we have the quality to make it happen.”

Ready for anything

The game at Old Trafford will decide which of the two teams makes it to the final of the Champions League. Rijkaard has thought about the possibility of the tie coming down to a penalty shoot-out and says his players have been getting ready for it, though he didn’t say how.