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Magical20 · 01-12-2006, 05:27 PM

The Barça coach does not like the idea of FC Barcelona being considered the favourites to win the World Club Cup in Japan in December. "We'd be making a huge mistake to see it like that" warned Rijkaard.

"We have to go to Japan with all the humility we can, and work hard without feeling we are any better or worse than anybody else" he added, sticking to his usual modest style in the specially arranged FIFA press conference. "The team will be going out there to do its job. I can already see the headlines saying that we are the favourites, but I think that makes it all the more complicated for us. I don't think that there is anybody in the club who thinks that we are the favourites".

A very prestigious tournament

In the press conference held to present the World Clubs Cup in the Camp Nou, the technical secretary of the first team, Txiki Begiristain and the captain Carles Puyol were also invited to give us their points of view. All three wanted to express how prestigious they consider the tournament to be, and in which FC Barcelona will debut on December 14 in Yokohama.

For Begiristain, the fact that Barça are in this tournament means they are "among the big teams. Which means being one of the biggest teams in the world. It is an enormously prestigious tournament and like any of those that FC Barcelona takes part in, we want to win it. We want to be the next champions. We are going in our best intentions to win the trophy back for Europe. We have a lot of respect for our opponents but we feel strong and confident." The FC Barcelona captain added that he is thrilled to be going to the Land of the Rising Sun, saying "the expectations are for us to put on a good show, and, of course, win. It is a very important title for the whole club and for the players and we hope to win it."

No preference

Barça will open their bid against the winners of the game between Korean outfit Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC and a familiar rival in Club América, who Barça already met in the pre-season. Rijkaard believes they are both strong sides. "We will wait for the result" he said. "I have no preferences, we always want to put on a good show, and it doesn't matter who that is against. Whichever one it is, it will be a difficult opponent."

Puyol remembers the 4-4 draw in the pre-season and says "I missed the pre-season game against America because I was injured, but I remember a nice match. We drew four each, and that all goes to show what a good team America are on the counter-attack." Finally, Txiki Begiristain said that the club has representatives keeping an eye not just on América and Jeonbuk Hyundai, but also on Internacional from Porto Alegre, the Brazilian side that will be playing their semi final against the winner of the game between Auckland City FC of New Zealand and Al Ahly Sporting Club of Cairo. "We are making reports on the two clubs we could theoretically meet, they are based on the same kind of reports that we make of sides we play in the League. And we are also monitoring all the games played by Internacional and América."

Options for Giovani and Crosas

Giovani Dos Santos and Marc Crosas are the two Barça B players that the coaching staff have decided to add to the side to make up the 23 for Japan. Rijkaard, knowing Eto'o and Messi are injured, has opted to bring along these two reserve team players that have already had a taste of first team action in the past. "I'm taking Giovanni and Crosas because I am allowed to take a total of 23 players. We have players injured and they will be coming along and helping out if needed. They know what they have to do on the pitch. Giovanni is a great talent and Crosas has played first team football already."

01-12-2006, 05:27 PM	#51 (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 denies World Club Cup favourites tag (30 Nov 2006) The Barça coach does not like the idea of FC Barcelona being considered the favourites to win the World Club Cup in Japan in December. "We'd be making a huge mistake to see it like that" warned Rijkaard. "We have to go to Japan with all the humility we can, and work hard without feeling we are any better or worse than anybody else" he added, sticking to his usual modest style in the specially arranged FIFA press conference. "The team will be going out there to do its job. I can already see the headlines saying that we are the favourites, but I think that makes it all the more complicated for us. I don't think that there is anybody in the club who thinks that we are the favourites". A very prestigious tournament In the press conference held to present the World Clubs Cup in the Camp Nou, the technical secretary of the first team, Txiki Begiristain and the captain Carles Puyol were also invited to give us their points of view. All three wanted to express how prestigious they consider the tournament to be, and in which FC Barcelona will debut on December 14 in Yokohama. For Begiristain, the fact that Barça are in this tournament means they are "among the big teams. Which means being one of the biggest teams in the world. It is an enormously prestigious tournament and like any of those that FC Barcelona takes part in, we want to win it. We want to be the next champions. We are going in our best intentions to win the trophy back for Europe. We have a lot of respect for our opponents but we feel strong and confident." The FC Barcelona captain added that he is thrilled to be going to the Land of the Rising Sun, saying "the expectations are for us to put on a good show, and, of course, win. It is a very important title for the whole club and for the players and we hope to win it." No preference Barça will open their bid against the winners of the game between Korean outfit Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC and a familiar rival in Club América, who Barça already met in the pre-season. Rijkaard believes they are both strong sides. "We will wait for the result" he said. "I have no preferences, we always want to put on a good show, and it doesn't matter who that is against. Whichever one it is, it will be a difficult opponent." Puyol remembers the 4-4 draw in the pre-season and says "I missed the pre-season game against America because I was injured, but I remember a nice match. We drew four each, and that all goes to show what a good team America are on the counter-attack." Finally, Txiki Begiristain said that the club has representatives keeping an eye not just on América and Jeonbuk Hyundai, but also on Internacional from Porto Alegre, the Brazilian side that will be playing their semi final against the winner of the game between Auckland City FC of New Zealand and Al Ahly Sporting Club of Cairo. "We are making reports on the two clubs we could theoretically meet, they are based on the same kind of reports that we make of sides we play in the League. And we are also monitoring all the games played by Internacional and América." Options for Giovani and Crosas Giovani Dos Santos and Marc Crosas are the two Barça B players that the coaching staff have decided to add to the side to make up the 23 for Japan. Rijkaard, knowing Eto'o and Messi are injured, has opted to bring along these two reserve team players that have already had a taste of first team action in the past. "I'm taking Giovanni and Crosas because I am allowed to take a total of 23 players. We have players injured and they will be coming along and helping out if needed. They know what they have to do on the pitch. Giovanni is a great talent and Crosas has played first team football already."