20.03.2008 23:31
“We conceded the goals too easily”
Vanessa Forns
Visibly affected by the elimination from the King’s Cup, Frank Rijkaard pointed out the spirit and fight of his players but, at the same time, explained the reason for the defeat against Valencia as giving away three soft goals.
FC Barcelona have been knocked out of the King’s Cup after losing 3-2 in Mestalla. Despite
the defeat, the Barcelona manager said he felt proud of the fighting spirit of his players up to
the last moment and lamented the manner in which they gave the goals away: “I feel proud of
the way the players fought as a team. It’s a difficult moment for us but I am with this team.
The squad has worked really hard but we conceded goals too easily”.
3-1 – crucial moment
For Frank Rijkaard, the third Valencia goal, whren Barça had just got a goal back (2-1) was
the key moment of the match: “We started the game well but we conceded a goal. Then we did
everything we could and Valencia scored again. Despite everything, the team continued fighting and
made it 2-1. But 3-1 killed us. It was a crucial moment. It’s a pity, and I think the team
deserved more”.
Nobody to blame
The manager refused to single anyone out for blame for the defeat: “It’s not my
way and I won’t do it. There’s always someone who wants to look for someone to blame
and if that’s the case then look to me because I’m the manager of this team”.
Finally, Frank Rijkaard said that “ we have to continue with this fighting spirit because
other important moments will surely come when we can be happy. Nobody can say that this team
doesn’t want it. We scored two goals here but it wasn’t enough, and of course something
isn’t right”.