FCBARCELONA.CAT

12.11.2007 14:56

Rijkaard: “We all have to work the same”

Jordi Clos

The Barça coach has called on his players to improve their mental approach to away games. He admits that some of them are performing below par away from the Camp Nou.

Frank Rijkaard spoke to reporters on Monday at the press conference prior to Tuesday’s Cup match against Alcoyano. However, most of the questions were centred on Saturday’s 2-0 defeat away to Getafe: “We’ve drawn our conclusions though that doesn’t mean they are definitive. It’s not the first time we’ve spoken about this subject. Some small details have to be changed in order for our style of play to please the fans and ourselves”.

A question of mentality

Rijkaard outlined his analysis of the poor results away from home: “We have to improve our teamwork. We all have to work the same. I don’t know if we’re in crisis but we haven’t picked up many points away from home and that’s something we have to overcome. It’s not a question of quality but of mentality”. Though he declined to name names, he told reporters: “In the away matches there are some players who have performed below their own level”.

Self-confident but self-critical

However, Frank Rijkaard is confident of putting things right: “I’m very happy with my work and I think we can get out of this and achieve our objectives. Each problem is a challenge for me”. Rijkaard described himself as “self-critical” and once again assumed all responsibility for the defeat against Getafe: “I will never say that I’m not happy with my players”.

Wary of CD Alcoyano

Barça are back in action on Tuesday evening against CD Alcoyano in the Spanish Cup. Frank Rijkaard is in no mood to underestimate an opponent that looks weaker on paper: “These matches are very complicated. We have to work with sacrifice and common sense. We have to take on the match with a great desire to achieve a good result”.