Rijkaard will Attack at Old Trafford
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has plans to attack Manchester United when they meet up later today in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. The squads enter the game tied 0-0 with Barcelona needing only a scoring draw to advance to the final.
Following last week’s goalless first-leg draw at the Nou Camp, Barca could have opted for a safety-first attitude for Tuesday’s return meeting at Old Trafford and look to sneak an away goal.
‘I think that we have always maintained our style of play wherever we have been, with only one exception, which was when we went to play at Chelsea’s ground,’ Rijkaard said, recalling the 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in October 2006.
‘There we played much more defensively than we are used to because at that point Chelsea were a very well-armed, organised and hard-working team, who were very dangerous on the counter-attack. ‘But against Manchester United we have to play strong. To defend is not the correct course of action in this case. We have to play with aggression and by putting them under pressure.’
If Barcelona are to come away with a result and move on to the Finals it would be something of an upset. Heading into the tie Manchester United were playing as well as (if not better) then any club in Europe and Barcelona had been struggling to right itself after several dismal performances in La Liga.
Rijkaard also poured some pressure on Man U’s newly named PFA player of the Year Christiano Ronaldo.
And Rijkaard believes the finger will be pointed at the Portuguese winger should the Catalan club ultimately progress to the final.
‘It could be important,’ Rijkaard said of the missed spot-kick. ‘If we manage to go through then I think we’ll probably hear about the missed penalty in Barcelona.
So it will be all or nothing [for Ronaldo].’If we go through then the pressure will be on Ronaldo. It will be an interesting game - also psychologically for some Manchester United players.’
If you want to find out if Rijkaard’s mind games had any affect, check back for Live Updates during the Match.
