FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.08.2007 15:48

Rijkaard happy with result and Giovani

David Saura

Frank Rijkaard was satisfied with the display against Beijing Guoan, saying what he had liked best was “the result and Giovani”.

Giovani dos Santos scored the first goal and added quality to the attack in a game in which “we worked well and got the job done. It was a good test”.

Lack of freshness

The first game of the Asian tour was described as “interesting and attractive” but the manager is aware that “there is a lack of freshness”, putting that down to the lack of time the squad have had together in what are still the early stages of the pre-season.

Getting into form

He feels the team needs to work on organising itself on the pitch and knows there is room for improvement despite “not conceding a goal today.” But Rijkaard insisted that his side is still “working to get back into form”.

Ronaldinho in the side

It was a surprise to see the supposedly injured Ronaldinho on the field at the Fengtai Stadium. But he came on in the end because “he had taken a knock but we spoke before the game and he told he wanted to come on.”