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27.11.2007 23:44
Rijkaard: “Objective achieved”
Vanessa Forns
Frank Rijkaard has said after the draw with Olympique Lyon that Barça have managed to do what they set out to do, qualify for the next round of the Champions League, and as group winners.
The Barça manager was satisfied that the team had done what they set out to achieve on Tuesday evening in the penultimate round of games in the group phase of Europe’s premier club competition. A draw was enough for FC Barcelona to guarantee passage to the quarter finals of the Champions League, which means they will get to play the return leg at home. “Our aim was to come top of the group, and we did that. That was important and we are very pleased” said Frank Rijkaard.
“We played better than our opponents”
Asked how he felt the game had gone, he said Barça “had played better than Olympique Lyon. In general we played fairly well, better than our opponents, but in the end the result was a draw. With a bit more luck we could have won, because we played a good game” added Frank Rijkaard.
Ronaldinho, motivated
Asked why he left Ronaldinho out of the starting eleven, Frank Rijkaard said that FC Barcelona have a big squad and “we can only choose eleven players. We have a big squad, without players with a regular first team place. It means nothing, everybody takes it well and wants to do what they can for the team. In Ronaldinho’s case, he is highly motivated and keen to play”.
Rijkaard sent off for first time as Barça manager
Frank Rijkaard was sent off for the first time since he joined Barça as manager. In the first half
of the game between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyon, referee Stefano Farina decided to send
Rijkaard off the bench following his consistent complaints about the rough play of the French
outfit.
Speaking in the press conference about the red card, the Dutchman said: “I only wanted to tell the ref about the red card that wasn’t given. I knew it could lead to consequences. When nobody has noticed that somebody is playing dangerously and could cause injury, somebody has to say something. I think the referee blew more fouls in the second half than is normal” he added.
Speaking in the press conference about the red card, the Dutchman said: “I only wanted to tell the ref about the red card that wasn’t given. I knew it could lead to consequences. When nobody has noticed that somebody is playing dangerously and could cause injury, somebody has to say something. I think the referee blew more fouls in the second half than is normal” he added.
