Frank Rijkaard is aiming to set his FC Barcelona team out to attack when they meet Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League tie at Anfield on Tuesday evening.
The Dutch coach also revealed that Samuel Eto'o will play and will look to make the difference
"with goals, but also by using our intelligence" and that Barça are already aware of how Liverpool
will play. According to the Blaugrana boss his side "did not lose the tie in the first game in Camp
Nou" two weeks ago.
Eto’o in attack
The presence of Eto'o in the Barcelona team has, once again, provoked a lot of debate in the
press conference that Rijkaard held along with Carles Puyol just before the final training session
on Tuesday. "He will play," the trainer explained when asked about the Cameroonian striker. He was
then questioned on the tactics that he is set to employ, but refused to be drawn in adding only
that "we are planning to go out and attack". Reflecting on the games against Real Zaragoza and
Sevilla, Rijkaard said: "The last two matches have been interesting for us as we started well in
both of them. That has served us well as we will be playing in a similar atmosphere."
No predictions
Looking at the match at Anfield, Rijkaard refused to make any predictions as he stated: "I
have left my crystal ball at home." On a more serous note, the Barça coach stated that: "We have a
strong enough team to spring a surprise. We know that it will be a difficult game after what
happened in Barcelona. But the pressure is off us in the sense that many people think that
Liverpool have already won and they now have to prove that in front of their own fans."
Reacting to Rafa Benítez's comments earlier in the afternoon, Rijkaard said that "it is
wonderful to play against a coach that already knows everything. That is just a way of hiding the
fears that they have. As much as you think you can know what will, happen everyone really knows
very little." The Barça boss then had a sly dig at his opposite number as he stated. "When you have
seen one Liverpool match you know all there is to know. There is not much to discover."
Goals and intelligence are the keys
Without doubt, one of the best lines that Rijkaard delivered during the press conference came
when he said. We have another great chance to show that we are brave when playing in an intense
atmosphere where any sportsman would love to perform. We want to play attacking footbal, but we
also have to pay attention to the tasks everyone has. There is nothing to lose now."
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Puyol: "We want to continue in the 'Champions'"
Club captain Carles Puyol believes that confidence is high in the Barça camp as the team wants "to
prove that we can progress to the next round of the Champions League and win it again". The Barça
defender praised Liverpool for their strength and stated that his team will "have to be very
focussed". He added: "Liverpool are a very good team and are strong defensively and dangerous going
forward. We will have to be on top of our game and score early on without forgetting about the
defending. It will have to be a complete performance."
Patience is another key factor for Puyol. "If we are lucky enough to score early on, we must
be patient and not fall into any traps, because they will be waiting for us to commit errors," he
explained. Despite the hot reception the team is sure to receive, Puyol is relishing the prospect
of playing at Anfield. "This type of stadium gives me added motivation as they it is a great place
to play. It is clear that they, beng the home side, will be very strong, but we have now played
some important matches against teams in their stadium where the atmosphere has been incredible and
we are ready."