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.

FC Barcelona captain Carles Puyol given all-clear to play on good Friday against Villareal at Camp Nou by the "Comité Español de Disciplina Deportiva" (CEDD). The CEDD has postponed any decision on the possible penalty to be incurred on Barca defender Carles Puyol for receiving a yellow-red card in last week´s match against Racing Santander, meaning he will be able to play for Barcelona against Villarreal.

The Comité Español de Disciplina Deportiva (CEDD) has announced on Thursday that it considers that "all the necessary requisites exist" to concede the precautionary suspension of the one match ban on Carles Puyol, after the FC Barcelona player was shown two yellow cards in the match against Racing Santander last Sunday.


FC Barcelona skipper Puyol has been included, as the CEDD has yet to announce a decision CEDD regarding his suspension. Barca coach Frank Rijkaard will be able to field his captain this Friday, meaning Rodri's name has been left out of the Barca squad list.

Yesterday afternoon FC Barcelona sent in an appeal to the Spanish authorities against Carles Puyol's first yellow card against Racing Santander at El Sardinero.


Barça bases its appeal on video evidence of the incident when the FC Barcelona captain's hand accidentally made contact with the ball. Referee Rubinos Pérez reckoned it was intentional and showed Puyol the first of his two yellows. Carles Puyol saw on Sunday the second red card in his career the first ironically coming against Racing Santander as well in the 2003-4 season, again due to 2 yellow cards.


Carles Puyol is actually one of the defenders with fewest yellow cards in Spain and has only missed one game all season through suspension and been shown just 7 yellow cards. Since he made his debut in the 1999-2000 season, the tough but fair Puyol has seen a total of 44 yellows remarkably few for a central defender.

Referee Terje Hauge insists he was right to send off Chelsea full-back Asier del Horno in their Champions League home defeat to Barcelona.

The Spanish international and ex-Bilbao defender was shown a straight red card for a vicious foul on Lionel Messi in the 39th minute, a decision which Blues boss Jose Mourinho claims cost his side the game. But Hauge believes the incident looks less clear-cut when displayed in slow-motion replays and told Catalan television station TV3:

"I feel it is important to see the situation live. When you see it in slow motion, you can be fooled by how he got into the situation”

While we're on the subject, Hauge could have also awarded two penalties to Barcelona while Chelsea will feel Carles Puyol was lucky to escape a second yellow card after a bad tackle on Arjen Robben.