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Magical20 · 25-11-2006, 04:45 PM

After successfully coming through Wednesday's game against Levski in the Champions League, Frank Rijkaard is determined there will be no relaxation in the league: "We can still grow as a team and we're not in a position to relax".

The Barca coach is demanding 100% concentration from his players for Saturday's game against Villarreal. He believes his team can still improve a great deal and is calling on his players to maintain their concentration: "We're not in a position to relax. We're happy with the work done because the results are good, above all in the league, bur we're aware that we're still in a phase of growth, so we mustn't talk about a lack of tension or motivation. And especially against a team like Villarreal, which has always been a tricky opponent for us".

One of the best league starts

Barca has chalked up a total of 26 points in 11 matches, the same as in the 2004-05 season. Rijkaard believes this is a good total, especially bearing in mind that the team can still improve: "It's good news because we have room to keep on growing and the team is doing its job. We have to keep on working with confidence and that way we'll achieve important things".

Villarreal without two key players

Villarreal will come to the Nou Camp on Saturday without Riquelme, who has flown to Argentina to be present at the birth of his third child, and Turkish striker Nihat, who has a serious knee injury: "There are players missing from both teams but that doesn't change the importance of the match". Referring specifically to Riquelme, Rijkaard told reporters: "Villarreal will be different because he's an important player for them. But they've got others who can fit into the team".

Style of play

After the last game against Werder Bremen, Sylvinho suggested that with the result at 0-1 the team had become "more conservative", a style of play that was also seen against Mallorca. According to Rijkaard: "That's down to the opponents though we haven't really got into the dynamic of everyone putting pressure on the opponent. We're achieved good results away from home. The opponents prepare themselves and look for ways of avoiding this pressure and the team has worked hard to get into the match and make the difference. And it's good that we adapt to this type of game".

(fcbarcelona.com)

25-11-2006, 04:45 PM	#27 (permalink)
Magical20 Banned Favourite Team: Fc Barcelona Magical20 is Offline Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Somewhere supporting the: "KEEP SAVIOLA" foundation...1639 Km From The Nou Posts: 2,719 vCash: 500 Rep: Rep Points: 406 Country:	Rijkaard: "We're not in a position to relax" (24 Nov 2006) After successfully coming through Wednesday's game against Levski in the Champions League, Frank Rijkaard is determined there will be no relaxation in the league: "We can still grow as a team and we're not in a position to relax". The Barca coach is demanding 100% concentration from his players for Saturday's game against Villarreal. He believes his team can still improve a great deal and is calling on his players to maintain their concentration: "We're not in a position to relax. We're happy with the work done because the results are good, above all in the league, bur we're aware that we're still in a phase of growth, so we mustn't talk about a lack of tension or motivation. And especially against a team like Villarreal, which has always been a tricky opponent for us". One of the best league starts Barca has chalked up a total of 26 points in 11 matches, the same as in the 2004-05 season. Rijkaard believes this is a good total, especially bearing in mind that the team can still improve: "It's good news because we have room to keep on growing and the team is doing its job. We have to keep on working with confidence and that way we'll achieve important things". Villarreal without two key players Villarreal will come to the Nou Camp on Saturday without Riquelme, who has flown to Argentina to be present at the birth of his third child, and Turkish striker Nihat, who has a serious knee injury: "There are players missing from both teams but that doesn't change the importance of the match". Referring specifically to Riquelme, Rijkaard told reporters: "Villarreal will be different because he's an important player for them. But they've got others who can fit into the team". Style of play After the last game against Werder Bremen, Sylvinho suggested that with the result at 0-1 the team had become "more conservative", a style of play that was also seen against Mallorca. According to Rijkaard: "That's down to the opponents though we haven't really got into the dynamic of everyone putting pressure on the opponent. We're achieved good results away from home. The opponents prepare themselves and look for ways of avoiding this pressure and the team has worked hard to get into the match and make the difference. And it's good that we adapt to this type of game". (fcbarcelona.com)