Frank Rijkaard Interview

As Barcelona gets ready to take the field against Levski Sofia, Frank Rijkaard knows that only a win will do. With Champions League results not going Barca's way of late, qualification to the knock-out rounds is in the balance. After a comprehensive away win in La Liga over the weekend, Rijkaard has the prefect platform to jump off from for today's crucial fixture.

Last Friday, the Barca boss sat down with Luis Rojo of Spanish sports daily Marca. Here is a rough translation of that interview.

Do the referees give Barcelona favorable treatment?
I don't think so, I don't get that impression. What happens is that there are people out there that like to float that idea, but I don't see it that way.

In the last couple of games played at the Camp Nou, you've gotten into it with the referees. What's going on?
Each circumstance was different, but I thought the situations warranted the referee knowing what I thought of his decisions. I did it because I had something to say, but we must remember that the game produces strong emotions. The day of the Chelsea match the referee didn't help us out very much. First he called for six minutes [of added time] but then gave less. I saw that as a slight against the team, the players, us [on the bench] . . . I didn't get over heated though. I could have let it pass without comment, but I had to say something. I didn't go up to him to fight it out, I'm conscious of my responsibilities has the coach.

It just doesn't seem like something you'd do. You seem very calm most of time, no?
Yeah, but it's all part of Frank. It's not something that's always there, it just came out naturally.

Did any of it have to do with [Jose] Mourinho's attitude?
Nothing at all. Almost never do I pay attention to the attitudes of the opposing coach. He has the total right to do what he thinks is best for his team.

Are you surprised by the publicity that Rafa Guerro [a La Liga linesman] has garnered?
I never talk about the game officials. They're human beings that step onto the pitch to do a job. We have to respect them and the pressure they're under. We have to remember that we have the luxury of watch plays repeated in slow motion, it's not as easy for them. I respect them, if they gain a little notoriety, big deal. That's the way the market plays out when it comes to publicity. If a company asks someone to do some publicity for them, fine, I don't have a problem with that.

Will [Rafael] Marquez be pivotal against Mallorca [4-1 win for Barcelona last Sunday]?
With Edmilson out injured and the possibility of Motta not being fit yet, he [Marquez] has a shot at playing in that spot on Sunday. [Note: Motta was fit by Sunday and played the holding midfield role, Marquez played as a centerback.]

Could have [Lionel] Messi's injury have been avoided?
Messi could have played for ten or fifteen years before an injury like this had occurred. The player wanted to play and a decision was made not to operate after talking to the club's medical staff. [Note: Messi broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. It was noted before the World Cup that he had weak metatarsal bones in that foot.]

Which game are you most worried about, [Levski] Sofia or Weder Bremen?
I'm not afraid of any game or opponent, but I'm also aware that neither of the two will be easy. We're going to have to prepare thoroughly for both matches. We'll have to fight and work as a team to get the right results.

Frank Rijkaard Interview (In Spanish) [Marca]

-ac