FCBARCELONA.CAT

12.12.2007 23:53

Neeskens: “The team has shown morale”

Anna Segura

Neeskens, who managed the side against Stuttgart due to Rijkaard’s suspension, said he was satisfied with the way the team had played and the attitude they had shown.

Johan Neeskens was given the honour of commenting on the way the side had played against the German champions in the final game of the Champions League group stage. Neeskens was delighted that the team had ended the phase in this way and that the players had shown “morale and mentality”.

A good image

The players were able to relax on Wednesday as they romped to yet another Champions League win. Stuttgart may have taken a second minute lead, but Barça replied with three excellently taken goals. Said Neeskens “it was shame to let a goal in so early. But within 14 minutes we had created three or four goalscoring chances. It was a shame they didn’t go in. But then the equaliser came”.

Second round opponents

Neeskens says he has no preferences regarding the potential opponents in the last sixteen. “There are a lot of teams we could play” he said. “We have to show them respect and wait until the 21st to find out who we’ll be playing”.

Giovani and Ronaldinho

The starting strikers all scored against Stuttgart. Giovani scored his first official goal for the first team, and Johan Neeskens was happy for him because “he was coming back from injury. He fought hard and played well.” Then on Ronaldinho observed “he is always motivated. He has a lot of reasons to be pleased. He worked well for the team. He was important in the first goal and scored a nice one of his own”.