A satisfied coach Rijkaard is happy with the progress of the Blaugrana in the champions league.


An elated Frank Rijkaard spoke blossomly of the success which the Catalan giants got last night in France against hosts Olympique Lyon. Barca secured a ticket into the champions league next stage after the Blaugrana picked up a 2-2 draw against Lyon. FC Barcelona dominated the game, holding possession for as much as 63% of the game compared to 37% by the hosts. After the match, Rijkaard expressed satisfaction for the feat achieved by the Group E leaders:

Our aim was to come top of the group, and we did that. That was important and we are very pleased. We played better than Olympique Lyon. In general we played fairly well, better than our opponents, but in the end the result was a draw. With a bit more luck we could have won, because we played a good game.

On the issue of ronaldinho starting on the bench, Rijkaard said:

We can only choose eleven players. We have a big squad, without players with a regular first team place. It means nothing, everybody takes it well and wants to do what they can for the team. In Ronaldinho’s case, he is highly motivated and keen to play.

Frank Rijkaard ended by speaking about the red card he received in the Lyon match. This was the first time the Dutchman was red carded and sent off since he joined Barça as manager. In the first half of the game between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyon, referee Stefano Farina decided to send Rijkaard off the bench following his consistent complaints about the rough play of the French outfit. Rijkaard explained the reason for his action:

I only wanted to tell the ref about the red card that wasn’t given. I knew it could lead to consequences. When nobody has noticed that somebody is playing dangerously and could cause injury, somebody has to say something. I think the referee blew more fouls in the second half than is normal.