Santander's game was compact and resulted in a no-goal-show for Barcelona. Coach Frank Rijkaard speaks after the match.


Coach Frank Rijkaard has spoken in his post-match comments after the rather unexpected result against Racing Santander, which ended in a scoreless draw. The outcome of the match puts a lot of pressure on Barca who have been tipped to lift the La Liga. Frank Rijkaard was not happy with the outcome of the match, though not blaming his squad for the draw:

This is definitely not a good day for us. Although Racing made the game complicated for us, I do not think they had many chances. Their pattern was not conventional or positive. They grouped almost all at the back, and left us very little space.

Speaking about the team itself, Rijkaard hinted that FC Barcelona would soon hit great form, but it was only a matter if time very soon to come, concluding that:

We had more chances than Santander and would have won the game. We needed more freshness, vigour and mobility to take advantage of the difference in the game between both teams, and in subsequent games.

Barcelona's next La Liga game will be on 2nd September against Athletic Club in Camp Nou, where a better result is expected. Before that however, Barca will play Italian Champions, Inter Milan in the Joan Gamper match on 29th August.