Ahead of the Champions League opener against Olympique Lyon, FC Barcelona's coach Rijkaard banishes thoughts of past misadventures.



With so much pressure on the shoulders of everyone and everything associated with Barcelona, the Champions League match against Lyon will provide either an escape from those pressures through a spectacular performance, or a further deepening of the disappointment that has so far been heard and felt in the air concerning the Blaugrana's start of the 2007/08 season. Having secured only one win in three La Liga games as well as losing out in the Copa Catalunya, the new season has not started off well, not forgetting that the just ended season is not being remembered on a very bright note for the highly-rated team of Europe. The man in the centre of the storm is the manager himself, Frank Rijkaard, who once again, appeals for understanding, unity, confidence and patience from fans and friends alike:

I get the feeling that both people and the press are still talking about last year. The team is working well and I sense a good dynamic. It is as if people want Barça to lose or draw, and the squad don’t deserve that. Every season there are moments when you have to suffer, and that is when we need our fans more than ever, because if we are united, we are stronger. We need to work on an image of being hard-working and united. It's quite true that since the start of the season, we have not been up to the tasks set before us ,but things will change.

Rijkaard goes on to explain the reasons why Barca obtained draws against Racing Santander in La Liga match day one and against Osasuna in La Liga match day three:

The matches against Osasuna and Santander came straight after a large number of our players had been away on international duty, and that does affect thing. I’m not looking for excuses but these are things that have to be taken into account. Some players have travelled a lot, and that takes away their strength and energy.

Bursting out of the closet and the hospital bed, Barca's Eidur Gudjohnsen quickly asserts his position.


After weeks of speculation about his future, Barca's striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has declared where he stands. The Icelandic star is not yet ready to move anywhere further than where he already is, which is Camp Nou. Eidur, who was injured, and missed a potential transfer to England, is not ready to leave Barca yet. Guddy says:

I’m here and I’m staying here. That’s absolutely clear. I’m not thinking about any other team. I only want to think about my future with Barça. I wouldn’t want to leave feeling the way I do now because I’ve always felt that I have never reached my full potential. I’m just concentrating on the present, working and training hard to get into good shape again. Between me and the other strikers, the only difference is that I haven’t had the opportunity of training at the same level as the rest but I’ve spoken to the fitness trainer about training harder than the rest and reaching the same degree of fitness. I don’t have any discomfort now and I’m another option for the boss. I have to think about my body and about my fitness and demonstrate what I can do.

Feeling more relaxed after his declaration, Gudjohnsen took out time to speak on the impasse between clubs and countries of various international players:

Both club and country are important. The coaches, clubs and international managers have to talk more about each player’s particular situation. That would certainly help to avoid some of the problems that have been coming up.

With both strikers Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi injured, Eidur Gudjohnsen might yet have a clear chance to play for Barca in this weekend's La Liga game against Osasuna.

after the clear 3-0 defeat at Camp Nou, Osasuna´s head coach Ziganda told the media that Barca "are the best team in Europe" and are "sheer unstoppable". Ziganda felt that the early goal of Eto´o was vital and Barca left his team no chance to come back into the game:

That early goal set the tone for the game. It made us very nervous and we suffered a lot.

Match Report: Saturday 09/09/2006 20:00 (GMT +2): La Primera Liga, Match Day 2
FC BARCELONA - CA OSASUNA 3:0 (3:0)

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 65.000
Referee: Julián Rodríguez Santiago



Goals:
1-0 Eto´o (1´)

2-0 Eto´o (27´)
3-0 Messi (37´)


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta (Oleguer 80´), Marquez, Thuram, Sylvinho - Edmilson, Xavi, Deco (Iniesta 61´) - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho (Giuly 71´) - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


CA Osasuna (4-2-2): Ricardo - Flaño, Cuellar, Josetxo, Corrales - David López, Muñoz (Nekounam 55´), Puñal, Delporte (Héctor Font 69´) - Raúl García, Soldado (Valdo 79´) - Manager Jose Angel Ziganda


Match Report:

FC Barcelona crushed CA Osasuna 3-0 in Camp Nou yesterday night. Two goals from a leathal Samuel Eto'o (1´, 27´) and one from youngster Lionel Messi (37´) settled the score already before halftime and gave Barcelona an easy win. Osasuna was no match for the Champions at all and were swept aside by a rampant Barca side in true style. In this form Barca is definetely hunting a third consecutive Primera Liga title under coach Frank Rijkaard and will challenge for european glory again.


Barca dominated right from the kick-off in a one-sided first half. The pace and power of star striker Samuel Eto'o was phenomenal and paired with Ronaldinho´s magic as well as Messi´s technical skills, the match was already finished off before the half time whistle.


Barca coach Frank Rijkaard rested captain Carles Puyol and fielded Lilian Thuram at the center of the defence. The French international had a fantastic debut and also Xavi made his first start of the season having been left on the bench against Celta.


Barca got off to the perfect start. Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring just after 1 minute, finishing off a great team effort. Ronaldinho and Deco exchanged passes on the left and it was the Barazilian wizzard who presented the ball on a silver plate for Eto´o who finished from closed range.


In the 21st minute, Samuel Eto'o almost finished a fine move from Leo Messi but 6 minutes later Sammy scored his second goal of the evening. The "Pichichi" of last year, Eto´o, took his opportunity superbly after an error was forced by Deco. Eto´o was quickest to react and lobbed over Osasuna goalkeeper Ricardo, who was without chance.


Eto'o's work rate was phenomenal and in the 37th minute, he turned from goalscorer to provider, as he set up young Leo Messi, who coolly put the ball through Osasuna goalkeeper Ricardo´s legs, just to send the Camp Nou crowd into ecstasy. All 65,000 spectators rose up their seats with the half time whistle to give this extraodinary Barca team a standing ovation while the players walked off the pitch for their well deserved break.


The second half was a little lesson for Osasuna taught by FC Barcelona. With the game won, Barca kept Osasuna under total control but still created some magical football that delighted the home crowd. The best chance of the second half came in the 60th minute when wonderboy Messi played a fine one-two with Xavi before penetrating the penalty area. Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ricardo came off the line to confront the Barca striker but Messi shot the ball past him only for the right post to deny him of a great goal.


Between the 61st and the 80th minute, coach Frank Rijkaard substituted some of his key players to rest them for the midweek Champions League encounter against Levski Sofia. Rijkaard brought on Iniesta (61´), Giuly (71´) and Oleguer (80´) for Deco, Ronaldinho and Zambrotta.


My Comment:
Barca´s display was great! Barca showed similar football, as seen on the pre-seasan tour in the US, in the two legs of the Spanish Super Cup against Espanyol and against Bayern Munich. It was football from a different star and extraodinary class.

I expected much more form Osasuna and I did not believe that it could be that easy. A comfortable win. Barca were dominating the match against an Osasuna team that was a pale shadow of the team of last season. Osasuna did not have one chance worth mentioning in the first half and spent most of the second period chasing the shadows of Ronnie & Co.
Barca delighted their fans again. It was a familiar Camp Nou show and Barca were rampant. Samuel Eto'o was in lethal form, Ronaldinho showed his unselfish magic, providing his companions several time with opportunities.


If the first half was all about Samuel Eto'o, the second was about new signing and veteran Lilian Thuram. The French centre-back was a rock at the heart of the defence and had a fantastic full-time dedut. I always mention the exciting, attacking style of Barca but Barca´s defence looks outstanding this season. Zambrotta and Marquez looked very solid and Sylvinho, especially in the first half, had some great runs on the left and showed great class. With such a performance, I can not see a team in La Liga so far, that could threaten Barca and stop them from winning the third Spanish championship title this year.

Eto´o was the star of the evening, Ronnie at his best, a defence solid as a rock and 3 points more towards winning another title.
What do we want more? ...ok, iI know, the Merengues to lose today!

What a wonderful day, today!

Visca el Barca!

Match Preview: Saturday 09/09/2006 20:00 (GMT +2): La primera Liga, Match Day 2
FC BARCELONA - Osasuna

Camp Nou, Barcelona – Capacity: 99.000
Referee: Julián Rodríguez Santiago


Probable Line-Up:


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés - Zambrotta, Marquez, Puyol, Sylvinho - Motta, Xavi, Deco - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Osasuna:


Match Preview:

Frank Rijkaard has made 2 changes for the Saturday evening match against Osasuna. Ronaldinho, who was injured for the first tie, comes in for Ezquerro and Sylvinho comes in for Gio for tactical reasons.


The complete list of players are: Valdes, Jorquera, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Edmilson, Silvinho, Puyol, Gudjohnsen, Eto'o, Xavi, Giuly, Motta, Oleguer, Marquez, Messi, Zambrotta, Deco and Thuram.


Ezquerro, Belletti, Gio and Saviola have not been included in the squad.


In their first home game of the season in the league, Barça will be assured of a warm welcome and expectations will once again be high. Magician Ronaldinho is back and ready to help FC Barcelona to defend their league championship title. Barca coach Frank rijkaard will sent out his team to perform, entertain and get the result, they need, so there is no pressure on Barca at this early stage.


In contrast to opponent Osasuna who lost their first match at home to Getafe 0-2. Another possible defeat at Camp Nou would leave Osasuna with 0 points and probably at the bottom of the league table.
Osasuna coach Ziganda strengthened his attack with Real Madrid Castilla striker Roberto Soldado on loan for a year, while Juanfran also moved from Madrid to Pamplona. Further players that have been added to the squad over the summer: Juanlu (Real Betis), Héctor Font (Villarreal) and Javad Nekouman (Al Sharjah FC).


Prediction:

A win is a must and anything else would be a great disappointment. Osasuna are strong and have a dangerous atttack. A solid, compact and well-organised defence will try to deny the Barca attacking line. Osasuna is not be a team that will hide themselves in the Camp Nou and for sure has the intention to score a goal. We can expect an exciting game. Ronaldinho, Messi and Co. will try to entertain their home crowd with one of their shows. Barca will score twice!


FC Barcelona - Osasuna 2:0