07.11.2007 23:48
Rijkaard: "It is a step forward"
Anna Segura
Frank Rijkaard was pleased after seeing FC Barcelona take a giant stride towards qualfiying for the first knockout round of the Champions League with victory over Rangers on Tuesday night in Camp Nou.
Goals from Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi pushed the Blaugrana three points ahead of their Scottish
opponents in Group E and made them firm favourites to finish in first place. As well as expressing
his delight at the attitude of his players, the Dutch coach believed that his side were superior
and that the win "was a step forward" in the growth of the team.
Good mentality
The game developed as Carles Puyol had said that the
Blaugrana hoped it would in the pre-match press conference and Rijkaard was happy that Barça were
able to make a breakthrough after just six minutes. "It was important to score quickly," the coach
said. "Rangers played with a lot of defenders and therefore it was more complicated for us. But the
team showed a good mentality and we went after a third goal, although unfortunately we could not
find one."
Superiority
Despite the good play and the strong mentality, Rijkaard
admitted his only disappointment was the fact that another goal could not be scored. "At 2-0 we we
were supreior all over the pitch. The only thing we can regret if that we could not score again.
This was a game to win 5-0. That is what we want when the opposition stay in their own half like
that, but I understand that they did not want to take any risks."
Change and rest
Rijkaard explained that Rafa Márquez suffered a slight knock in the warm-up and was forced to
withdraw and be replaced by Lilian Thuram, although the coach was keen to stress that it was not
serious. "He is not injured, but will need treatment to recover physically," he explained.
Ronaldinho had another impressive game before being substituted 14 minutes from the end to be
replaced by Bojan Krkic and the Blaugrana boss admitted that he was very pleased with the
Brazilian's form. "He played an important role as he had a hand in both goals and is growing
stronger with each game," Rijkaard said. Fans also welcomed the player's return to his best by
chanting his name before he went off.
Laporta pleased with strong position
Barça president Joan Laporta was a happy man after Barça's win over Rangers as he stated that "it
leaves us in a very favourable position". Above all though, it was that "Barça is playing as a
team" that the club supremo enjoyed the most. "They worked very hard and we were pleased to score
the first goal early on," he added.
Laporta also expressed his delight at the supporters' support for Ronaldinho as his name was
chanted after another strong display. "Ronaldinho is a reference for us," he explained. "He is one
of the best players in the world and he plays for us and will do so for many years."