15.04.2007 22:15
Rijkaard praises attitude
Frank Rijkaard felt especially proud of “the attitude” which his players demonstrated against Mallorca. According to the coach “We’ve achieved three valuable points thanks to the mentality of the team”.
Attitude. This has been the most repeated word said by the coach at the press conference. And
according to the Dutch coach: “we’ve won three points thanks to the attitude of the
group in fighting until the end”. Three vital points, to help Barça’s aspirations in
winning a third consecutive Liga title”.
The importance of the three points
Remembering the loss to Zaragoza last weekend, Rijkaard said “the players demonstrated
how to react following a loss”. “In this sense, we’ve won three important points
from a morale point of view”.
Mallorca’s play
It is clear that “Barça have played better games”, however, Rijkaard wanted to
say that “we were playing against a team which gets results away from home”.
“It’s true it hasn’t been the best game and the rhythm was slow, however, you
have to take into account that we were playing against a very organised team” explained the
coach.
Praise for the group
Rijkaard praised many aspects of his team’s display. With Messi, the Barça coach
highlighted how “he played quick football down both flanks”. As for Eto’o
“he played well and supported the players around him”, while Deco “did the simple
things perfectly. I saw a great Deco today”.
Rijkaard also spoke of the substitutes of Saviola, Xavi and Belletti who came on in difficult
circumstances: “they changed the game. They came on and did exactly what they had to
do”. In Saviola’s case, he was key in causing Fernando Navarro to deflect the ball into
his own net. Rijkaard commented that the number ‘22’ was, born to score”.