FC Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard attended the official press conference yesterday ahead of the Copa Del Rey derby against CF Badalona and revealed that he is very happy with the menality. of his squad and justified leaving Carles Puyol out of the Copa del Rey match.


Rijkaard´s comments about the team:

I have spoken with the squad and I am satisfied with their mentality. I am happy with the attitude. After the game against Chelsea, where they gave everything, we went to play Depor who were very strong and I was impressed with the way the players approached it. In other leagues, other teams are dropping points. If the team continues like that then we can only grow and do more good things.

Frank Rijkaard also explained why he is leaving captain Puyol out of the match:

Given the circumstances, he wants to work but personally it is not easy and he needs time. He is training with the squad like normal and he wants to do that and has said he prefers to be with his team-mates.

Rijkaard also mentioned the great gesture of city rival Espanyol when they entered the pitch against Valencia with a message of support to Carles Puyol:

I think that it showed clearly how highly Puyol is thought of. He is an example to everyone. For that reason he is the club captain here.

Barca boss Rijkaard also mentioned the call up of 4 youngsters:

We know them well because they have already trained and played with us. This is another good opportunity for them.

About the match against Badalona he revealed:

It is a game to progress from. The opposition will be highly motivated and we have to play well. We have seen in other game that there can be surprises and we will have to work hard.

FC Barcelona coach Rijkaard believes that FC Sevilla has the chance of winning the Spanish Championship:

They have to be considered as having a strong chance to win the title. They are playing very well and have a very strong squad. But there are also other teams like Madrid, Valencia and Zaragoza. We should just concentrate on ourselves.

Yes, he mentioned Real Zaragoza!!!