FC Barcelona coach, Frank Rijkaard, was delighted with the 3 points gained , the performance and work of the player´s but criticized the missed chances during the game. All in all, the coach gave a positive reaction to the victory:

The most important thing is to create opportunities and therefore we needn’t rue the missed chances. To only score one goal, created the feeling that the game was never decided and more goals would have given us confidence. We deserved to win, we created more chances.

When we play at home, we want more, we’re used to a high level. We have to keep working in order to give a good impression in every game.

I don’t think about what’s happening to the other teams; we have to concentrate on what we do.

In the final stages of a competition, all teams have to meet their objectives and therefore, there are no easy games. to win at these times is great and I’m happy. Their defence was solid and they were very physical.

Here is a selection of FC Barcelona´s coach Frank Rijkaard´s post match comments in the official press conference:

We have started the game well at a difficult ground, creating chances, but we have not managed to score and, in contrast, Villarreal have. If you do not score you know your opponent can at any moment. After the first goal everything became complicated because Villarreal have closed up the spaces very well. We have tried to change the result but we were unable to.

The attitude of the players had been good, but we have not made the difference with a goal. It is a pity, because we have worked hard but we have not fulfilled our aims.

Each game in which we cannot overcome our opponents is an opportunity lost, but we have to continue working towards winning games and adding points, because there are still important games and we have to keep on going forward.

FC Barcelona´s coach Frank Rijkaard was absolutely delighted after his team´s late 1-0 win over R.C.D. Mallorca.


Here is a selection of his comments during the official post-match press conferene:


Fank Rijkaard:

We have obtained three very very important points. It was a complicated game against a Mallorca side, we knew were doing well away from home through their well organized displays.

Without such an attitude, it would not have been possible to win. I believe that we took to the pitch with the correct attitude, and fought until the very last minute to make a difference.

We tried to score throughout the game, but the ball would not go in. Then, the resources that we had available on the bench helped us make a positive impact. The team, in general, played an attacking game, had a lot of the ball, many chances, but also very little space. I am very satisfied with this result and with the attitude.

Saviola is a player born to score goals. This is practically his goal, as he was the one who hit the post before the ball luckily went in.

FC Barcelona coach Rijkaard admitted in the official post match press conference that Real Zaragoza was the better team on this evening and deserved to win. He felt that it was not Barca´s night and the team did not play on the level they wanted.


Here are Rijkaard´s ´s Post-Match Comments during the press conference:

It was not our night. The result was justified. Zaragoza played more aggressively than us and they have shown that they were more focussed on winning the game. My players continued battling, but did not always play at the level we wanted. We were just not able to it.

Milito's winning goal did us a lot of harm. But we tried to find an equaliser, but could not. I do not think it was a question of mentality because the team worked hard.

During the first half we did not play well with the 3-4-3. When we changed to 4-3-3 after the break we did not have the capacity to change things once they had taken the lead. La Romareda is always a difficult place for us. Throughout the second half we tried everything.

It is easier to say that the coach is to blame as he is a single person.

FC Barcelona's manager Frank Rijkaard was very content with the victory, although he recognized that the team wasn't perfect. In the official post match press conference, Frank Rijkaard emphasized the importance of Eto´o's early goal after only three minutes. Here is a selection of his post match comments:

The first goal was the key. It changed the opponent's plans and it made things a lot easier for us. We were lucky to get the goals at the best moments and to kill off the match.

It is a great result, I am really pleased with the 0-4 scoreline and to break our negative run away from home. At 0-1 we were comfortable, but I don't believe we played a great game". Eto´o's contribution has been very high. He is a very important player for us.