A desperate Frank Rijkaard storms El Madrigal in search of first victory against Villarreal.


Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Dutchman admits the yellow submarines were the better side before, but things will definitely change this time around. Although Barca have lost in two successive encounters in Villarreal's home ground, the Catalan giants defeated the hosts right in their home ground in the 2005/06 season. Frank Rijkaard wants to lead Barca to repeat this feat, as that time, the man on the bench was Hen Ten Cate after Rijkaard was sidelined himself due to an illness on that day. Now the Barca helmsman wants to prove all his critics wrong that he can secure victory for Barca when he's on the bench at the El Madrigal. Rijkaard demonstrates clear knowledge of the Villarreal side:

They were better in the last league game. They came out very strongly and scored early on. We were unable to turn things around and Villarreal justifiably won. They are a team that can wait for to play in their half before launching counter-attacks or can come out and attack you from the first minute. We know what to expect and we will have to go out and start strongly ourselves.

Read the full interview below:


FC Barcelona's Rijkaard: Villarreal Were Better In The Last Game.

Coach Frank matches on in winning ways with the rest of the team.


The Barca coach has set himself apart from many as hi inches his way closer to the few remaining coaching records at FC Barcelona. Rijkaard now has the highest number of wins in the history of the great club, winning 61% of all matches he has led Barca into, a record previously held by Johan Cruyff at 59% of wins. Read more records broken by the talented and intelligent tactician at Camp Nou:


Frank Rijkaard Breaks Multiple Records At FC Barcelona.

Frank Rijkaard fielded questions in his post match press conference after Racing Santander fell at Camp Nou.


The Dutchman was pleased with the outcome of the match, though admitting the game could have been better. Rijkaard has had to become more self-tasking in his tactical approach since the season started with succesive away draws for the Blaugrana, and has also re-organized the team's formation and attacking options, moves that have produced good results for the Catalan giants as they battle back to reckoning in the La Liga while amintaing strong showings in the champions league and in the Copa del Rey. Rijkaard made a general analysis of the Barca team's display against their defence-conscious visitors:

It was a tough game. Racing are in good form, and you have to remember that. They have a good team. They drop back quickly in defend in numbers, and keep their shape on the pitch at all times. We did not move the ball around as well as we should have, but a lot of that has to do with Racing's organization. We were a little slow in the first half. In the second half, we had some quick movement, and showed that we wanted to go for it. We played a good game.

Rijkaard rejected the suggestion that Barca fans were rising against their team, and rather corrected the notion, saying that the fans began to cheer when the Blaugrana stepped up their game. The Dutchman also spoke on Giovani dos Santos:

We received good support from the fans. They responded when we stepped up the tempo, and were backing us. Giovani is a player who works very hard for the team.

Finally asked about Real Madrid's away victory on the same night, after the league leaders defeated Atletico Madrid 2-0, Rijkaard wasn't so concerned about the arch-rivals of Barca, but rather chose to focus on his tactics and victory:

There's still some distance ahead. We must focus on ourselves, and on picking up all the points we can. The most important thing is to do our bit in every game. We are confident that if we keep winning, things will eventually turn around.

Barca's Frank Rijkaard is always ready to take on tasks, and the match tonight against Racing Santander is no exception.


The Dutchman was eager to field questions from the press, warning that the Catalan giants were well focused and not taking their opponents, Racing Santander for granted. Rijkaard said of the visiting Santander squad:

It’s not surprising that they are doing so well. They are well-organised and work as a team. We have to take the game seriously.

Coach Frank also demonstrated awareness of the gap at the top with Real Madrid, and was very confident FC Barcelona will catch up and meet expectations this year. Read Frank Rijkaard's pre-match comments:


FC Barcelona - Racing Santander: Coach Rijkaard's Pre-Match Comments.

Impressed by the blitz shown by Theirry Henry, coach Frank Rijkard is aglow with praises.



Rijkaard has benefitted immensely from the surge in talent by the glorious French goal king and the results are clear for everyone to see. FC Barcelona have been playing better and generally found winning easier since Thierry Henry returned from injury. Many fans wish Henry had returned early enough to play in the el clasico, but then, there's another el clasico at the end of the season to look forward to. Rijkaard is facing each match step by step and taking things in Barca's huge stride, believing that the Catalan giants will only keep winning if they remain in their new found form. Bursting with praises on Thierry Henry, coach Frank Rijkaard said:

Thierry Henry has brought great talent, quality and experience to the team. He is very generous with the ball and works hard to achieve collective success.
It is not uncommon for him to reach the back line, and then to make a pass. If he continues to be in good condition, he could give even more. I expect, and think he could give us more. Not only at an individual level, but for what his presence represents, and also for the way he is. He is generous, he is humble, he makes jokes, and offers a lot to the team.

On Henry's form and fitness, Frank Rijkaard notes that:

Henry has been steadily improving since joining Barcelona. His style of football gives the team lots of options tactically. He can play on the left, but there are more possibilities, and he can play well in various different positions on the field.

On the La Liga title race in which FC Barcelona are seven points behind Real Madrid at the top of the table, Rijkaard is still very optimistic that things will turn around for Barca:

We have to maintain our focus and keep winning. If we win all the points in play, we will be the champions. However, without three or four key players, it won’t be so easy.