2Slick
04-12-2006, 21:18
Frank Rijkaard refuses to contemplate anything other than an FC Barcelona victory on Tuesday night when Werder Bremen visit the Camp Nou for a game that will decide both teams' UEFA Champions League fate.
Losing their grip
With the defending European champions trailing second-placed Bremen by two points in Group A going into Matchday 6, only a win will be enough to maintain Barcelona's hold on the European Champion Clubs' Cup. "I am not prepared to think about not winning," said coach Rijkaard. "We have to win, it is the only option, so we will go all out to attack."
Home and away
That ploy worked when the Blaugrana beat Bremen home and away in last season's group stage, including by 3-1 in Catalonia, as both clubs qualified. This time around, however, Rijkaard's team needed a last-minute equaliser to claim a 1-1 draw in Bremen on Matchday 2 – giving credence to claims coming out of the Weserstadion that Thomas Schaaf's side now have a lot more to offer. "They are coming here to win, not just draw," Rijkaard warned. "We'll have to see what happens on the pitch, but maybe there is some pressure on Werder with them saying they are a stronger team these days."
'Open team'
As well as having the edge in the race to join Chelsea in the top two in Group A, Bremen also have the better form. They continue to set the pace in the Bundesliga following Saturday's 3-1 home defeat of Hertha BSC Berlin, and although Barcelona lead the Primera División, they were held 1-1 at Levante UD at the weekend. With Bremen buoyed too by their victory over Chelsea a fortnight ago, Rijkaard is well aware of their threat. "They are physically strong and have some very tall players," the Dutchman said. "They are an open team and play in a similar way home and away. The fact both teams will want to play makes it a very interesting game."
'Nothing to prove'
Rijkaard hopes to have centre-half Rafael Márquez back from an ankle injury - "there is a chance he will play" - while Ronaldinho should also return after being rested against Levante. "He has nothing to prove," Rijkaard added of the No10. "The responsibility lies with all eleven players. When the team play well, it makes it easier for individuals to shine."
Hard to take
The result is all-important on Tuesday, however, and defeat would be unpalatable for Bremen coach Schaaf following his side's run of three wins and a draw since losing at Chelsea on Matchday 1. "Not to get through with ten points would be hard to take," he said. "But if we do go through, it will be sensational, as when the groups were drawn everyone had Barcelona and Chelsea down as favourites to progress." To achieve their goal, Bremen will stick to their adventurous style of play and, Schaaf hopes, take inspiration from the size of the occasion. "We have no fear, only respect," said the coach, who has Hugo Almeida and Aaron Hunt vying for a place in attack but continues to be without captain Frank Baumann in midfield. "We will try and win as a place in the last 16 is at stake. The players are looking forward to the atmosphere and have to be inspired by it."
Probable teams
Barcelona: VÃÂ*ctor Valdés; Gianluca Zambrotta, Carles Puyol, Rafael Márquez, Giovanni van Bronckhorst; EdmÃÂ*lson, Xavi Hernández, Deco; Ludovic Giuly, Ronaldinho, Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Bremen: Tim Wiese; Clemens Fritz, Per Mertesacker, Naldo, Pierre Wome; Tim Borowski, Torsten Frings, Diego, Daniel Jensen; Aaron Hunt, Miroslav Klose.
http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=2357/match=1116395/report=PR.html
Losing their grip
With the defending European champions trailing second-placed Bremen by two points in Group A going into Matchday 6, only a win will be enough to maintain Barcelona's hold on the European Champion Clubs' Cup. "I am not prepared to think about not winning," said coach Rijkaard. "We have to win, it is the only option, so we will go all out to attack."
Home and away
That ploy worked when the Blaugrana beat Bremen home and away in last season's group stage, including by 3-1 in Catalonia, as both clubs qualified. This time around, however, Rijkaard's team needed a last-minute equaliser to claim a 1-1 draw in Bremen on Matchday 2 – giving credence to claims coming out of the Weserstadion that Thomas Schaaf's side now have a lot more to offer. "They are coming here to win, not just draw," Rijkaard warned. "We'll have to see what happens on the pitch, but maybe there is some pressure on Werder with them saying they are a stronger team these days."
'Open team'
As well as having the edge in the race to join Chelsea in the top two in Group A, Bremen also have the better form. They continue to set the pace in the Bundesliga following Saturday's 3-1 home defeat of Hertha BSC Berlin, and although Barcelona lead the Primera División, they were held 1-1 at Levante UD at the weekend. With Bremen buoyed too by their victory over Chelsea a fortnight ago, Rijkaard is well aware of their threat. "They are physically strong and have some very tall players," the Dutchman said. "They are an open team and play in a similar way home and away. The fact both teams will want to play makes it a very interesting game."
'Nothing to prove'
Rijkaard hopes to have centre-half Rafael Márquez back from an ankle injury - "there is a chance he will play" - while Ronaldinho should also return after being rested against Levante. "He has nothing to prove," Rijkaard added of the No10. "The responsibility lies with all eleven players. When the team play well, it makes it easier for individuals to shine."
Hard to take
The result is all-important on Tuesday, however, and defeat would be unpalatable for Bremen coach Schaaf following his side's run of three wins and a draw since losing at Chelsea on Matchday 1. "Not to get through with ten points would be hard to take," he said. "But if we do go through, it will be sensational, as when the groups were drawn everyone had Barcelona and Chelsea down as favourites to progress." To achieve their goal, Bremen will stick to their adventurous style of play and, Schaaf hopes, take inspiration from the size of the occasion. "We have no fear, only respect," said the coach, who has Hugo Almeida and Aaron Hunt vying for a place in attack but continues to be without captain Frank Baumann in midfield. "We will try and win as a place in the last 16 is at stake. The players are looking forward to the atmosphere and have to be inspired by it."
Probable teams
Barcelona: VÃÂ*ctor Valdés; Gianluca Zambrotta, Carles Puyol, Rafael Márquez, Giovanni van Bronckhorst; EdmÃÂ*lson, Xavi Hernández, Deco; Ludovic Giuly, Ronaldinho, Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Bremen: Tim Wiese; Clemens Fritz, Per Mertesacker, Naldo, Pierre Wome; Tim Borowski, Torsten Frings, Diego, Daniel Jensen; Aaron Hunt, Miroslav Klose.
http://www.uefa.com/Competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=2357/match=1116395/report=PR.html