Rijkaard: We're Not Through Yet
(Soccer365.com) - Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has warned his side not to get too far ahead of themselves as they chase a spot in the Copa del Rey final.
Barca are firm favourites to progress to the showpiece event after establishing a 5-2 first leg lead over semi-final opponents Getafe, but Rijkaard is preaching caution.
"The tie is not finished yet but we have the advantage of three goals," he said. "Now we have to prepare for the return encounter."
Barca raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, but were pegged back by two goals in as many minutes by Getafe just before the hour mark.
If the scoreline had stayed that way then Getafe, who have lost just once in the league at home this season and conceded only six goals, would have fancied their chances of advancing in the second leg.
But goals from Barca strikers Eidur Gudjohnsen and Samuel Eto'o put the home side back in control and they will travel to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez next month with a three-goal advantage.
"Getafe did get back into it and that gave us a shock. But the team did well for the game to end with this scoreline," Rijkaard added.
"I have to congratulate them because they did a great job."
One of the big talking points to come out of the match was Barca's second goal, which was scored by Leo Messi in the 28th minute.
Picking the ball up inside his own half, Messi beat four opposing players as he raced towards the Getafe penalty area, before rounding visiting goalkeeper Luis Garcia and rolling the ball into the net.
The goal has been immediately likened to Diego Maradona's wonder strike against England in the 1986 World Cup, and Rijkaard called Messi's effort "a work of art".
"They (the two goals) are very similar, I think that Messi accelerated a little more," the Dutchman added on his club's website.
"Messi is a player with much talent and we cannot hide the comparisons with Maradona. But Messi is only interested in getting on the pitch and playing his matches."
Messi said: "I am happy for what happened, but I am calm. It was very lovely and I thank God for it, but we need to continue forward."
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Comments
Yo dr nyc. News has it your heros Barca might be taking on one of those sub par kick & run players from England Frank Lampard! Can you imagine that from bad to worse! Barca are bad enough & have enough problems as it is. The last thing they need now is a dope with two left feet like Lampard!
Posted by: Dave | April 20, 2007 02:54 AM
well dave you are so right ,it pi.. me off to know that he coming to barce .
my friend barce is good team look on 4/18/07
copa del semi good god messi messi and they have chance to win both laliga and copa.
this team is the don of all don,s .
pool was lucky and you know that too dave come on we played total soccer.
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | April 20, 2007 12:47 PM
here is something for you guys .
did you all know that everton fc runs a soccer camp far north of ny every summer.
my friend son goes and they show these kid mostly barcelona game .
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | April 20, 2007 12:52 PM
Are Barcelona's owners on drugs? Why would anybody in their right mind want to sign a loser like Lampard? It's beyond me & I cant figure it out as it makes no sense. Englsih players' never do well in Spain for some reason & I'm talking about the very good one's that have gone there to play in the past. Lampard is an awful one. dr nyc, one more time. Liverpool didn't get lucky so get over it already!
Posted by: Stanley | April 21, 2007 01:44 PM
I agree with Stan. dr nyc you need to get over it. Liverpool worked hard to get as far as they have in CL. It has nothing to do with luck. They simply played better than Barcelona & wanted it more & that's the reality of the situation. Don't feel bad or slighted as Barcelona was not the only big named team that didn't play well in the CL. No excuses for them. They have some of the best players in the world & they just didn't step up. It happens to all teams from time to time. It's the nature of the game. You can't win all the time.
Posted by: Santiago | April 21, 2007 02:55 PM
No way dr nyc! No way Liverpool was lucky. They beat Barcelona fair & square! Get over it! All teams have high points & low points. Liverpool are not just an average team. They fight to win! Barcelona didn't want it bad enough! So now they are out! Their failure is their own fault & not the fault of others. Get over it! This year they are not the best that Europe has to offer in professional club soccer. Barcelona defeated themselves!
Posted by: Benji | April 21, 2007 07:42 PM