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.
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Zambrotta: “We have to play intelligently”
In addition to Rijkaard, Guianluca Zambrotta also spoke to the media. The Italian defender said
that “We have to play intelligently as we always have done in the Champions League. We have
to have the right mindset and concentrate.”
“It’s a massive game,” he added. “If we win we go to Moscow, so
it’s the most important game of the season for us.”