Barça coach Frank Rijkaard explained on Barca TV his first views as he continues the preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup.


Barca TV: How are you coping with the jet lag?


Frank Rijkaard: "We have been here for a day-and-a-half and we need time to adapt. We are doing well, although some players have had difficulty sleeping properly throughout the night, but that will happen. We are fine."


Barca TV: Are you worried about the acclimatisation of you players to meet the timetable?


Frank Rijkaard: "Not worried, but it is still something that we have to keep in mind. We arrived yesterday and the other team has already spent a lot more time here than we have. They have an advantage. But that is an extra motivation for because it will not be an easy game."


Barca TV: After seeing the game on Monday in Tokyo, what did make of Club América?


Frank Rijkaard: "They are very different to when we played them in the summer, but they deserved to beat the Koreans. It was always going to be hard to play oen attractive football against the Koreans. It was not a great match in terms of quality, but América have qualified. Now we have to play them."


Barca TV: Has the team come to the FIFA Club World Cup in the best form?


Frank Rijkaard: "I do not know if it is the best time. Lately, we have been playing well, but I do not like to speak about the current moment. In my opinion, what is important is the mentality and attitude of the team and their mentality on the field, we are at a very good level. But I know that we can still play even better than what I have seen up until now."


Barca TV: Has the amount of pressure changed since the your arrival in Japan having qualified for the next round of the Champions League and staying on top of the First Division?


Frank Rijkaard: "What has changed is our environment, our circumstances and the moment. I think that it is going well right now, because we have done our job in the league and in the Champions League and now we are here. We are in a moment of relative calm, but that does not mean that we are relaxed. Barça are playing for some very important things and that is always a good thing."


Barca TV: Is the team conscious of how it is playing and how difficult it has been coming here?


Frank Rijkaard: "I think so, yes. Often the papers have focussed attention on the fact that Barça has not won this trophy. We also have a lot of players from South America and for them this tournament is especially important. When you come here it is because you have deserved to and now we have to finish the job and I think that the team has the chance to do something outstanding for the club, so there is not need to look back, we just have to prepapre ourselves. For me this is a very prestigious event. Not only for the team, but for the board and our fans. We have to treat it very seriously."


Barca TV: You won the Intercontinental Cup twice with AC Milan (1989 and 1990). What do you remember?


Frank Rijkaard: "Milan won the Intercontinental Cup twice. Why? Because Milan wanted to have the trophy in its cabinet and for that team to be the one to win it. Because of that we were all very highly motivated to do well."