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”.