Ex-Barca soccer and technical guru, Johan Cruyff explains the tactics.


Dutch legend, Johan Cruyff has spoken on the current incident involving Ronaldinho's injury and exclusion from the Barca squad, a condition that has been escalated by the press and blown out of proportion with various interpretations flying in. Johan has stepped up to defend the Brazilian star and FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard's decisions and tactics:

The demand on players these days is very tasking. Unlike before, it is now becoming more and more impossible for one player to play in every match of the season. A player who is unable to play due to fatigue or injury is better rested than forced to play, as playing him will be counter-productive to the whole team, and also make his injury worse. Ronaldinho is injured and couldn't have played against Sevilla, so the best decision was to rest him and give him time to recover.

It is also unlikely that Ronladinho will be back for Wednesday's game against Real Zaragoza.