03.08.2007 10:23
Rijkaard: "The tour is a model that has worked well"
David Saura
Frank Rijkaard believes that FC Barcelona's tour of Asia is just another step "to being completely ready" for the start of the league season and believes that the plan "has been worked out well."
The Barça coach understands that tours such as this are necessary "for all the big clubs" and that
the Blaugrana are no exception. A few hours after arriving in Beijing the Dutchman believes that
the club has "an added goal which is to transmit the club's culture" By doing this, Barça is able
to spread the values that it holds dear around the world.
Adaptation period
After more than 11 hours on the plane from Catalunya, Rijkaard said that the first job of the
squad is to "adapt ourselves" although he recognised that "it is normal that on the first day you
are not going to be at your best. After the first training session everything will improve" he
predicted, as the players look to stave off the effects of jet lag.
Importance of training
"The combination of preparing physically and publicising the club" are the main aims for
Rijkaard on a tour of this nature. After highlighting the importance of planning the trip, he
remembered that the manner in which these trips have been done, since his first in 2003, "has, in
general, worked well". The coach also insisted that "the need to train hard and not only to play
and fly" was vital. In that sense, he stated that he was convinced that the team would be able to
reach a very high level in its preparations during the stay in the Far East.
Everyone is equal
With regard to the possible combination of players that he
will use during the three matches on the trip, Rijkaard said that it was too soon to draw
conclusions. When asked if Touré Yaya, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta are his first choice midfield, he
said: "No, not at all. It can change every week. The players that start in the opening half are
just as important as those that begin the second half. No conclusions should be made yet."
Henry, Ronaldinho and Eto’o
During his first press conference in China, Rijkaard also looked ahead to the possibility of
Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o playing up front with Thierry Henry, something that did not happen
during the trip to Scotland. "I do not know when they will play together, we shall have to wait and
see. What I have said is that I do not think that they will play together here," he said, referring
to Barça's opening game of the trip against Beijing Guoan on Sunday. Rijkaard is believed to
preparing to name the same side that started both games in Scotland.