Rijkaard's Barça get just desserts
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Article summary
Frank Rijkaard was thrilled to see his FC Barcelona players rewarded for all their hard work with a place in the UEFA Champions League final in Paris.
Article body
Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona coach
I am very happy because the team played a great match. It was tough, which I expected against a strong and talented Milan side, but we achieved our goal and are now in the final. It was an interesting game and we had our chances which we were unable to convert. Milan attacked even more in the second half because they needed a goal, so we had to work even harder. We worked for our luck – some things went our way, others did not – but we did what we have to do. I am thrilled that Barcelona and this group of players are in the final. We deserve it and Arsenal [FC] will be a tough opponent. However, I wouldn't say the best two teams are in the final because that would be disrespectful to all the other clubs.
Carlo Ancelotti, Milan coach
It was a typical semi-final and both games were very close – the tie was decided on minor details. For example, I don't know what the referee saw but I thought Andriy Shevchenko's [disallowed] goal was okay, and we would have had the chance to win the match after that. But it was a top-quality game, full of courage. We could have won, but Barcelona got through and deserve to be in the final. The season has been a good one for Milan and now we have the league to think about. I am both happy, because we managed to play well against Barcelona having got as far as the semi-finals, and disappointed - because you could say we deserved to win it too.
Carles Puyol, Barcelona defender
I am delighted to get to the final and the important thing tonight was to make sure the forwards were kept quiet. Now we want to go on and win the trophy. Arsenal are a very attacking team, a good team with fast players. We will respect them.
Samuel Eto'o, Barcelona forward
After all our hard work, we have deserved this dream. A Champions League final is everything and anyone would want this. Now we have it and we have to go for it. It should be a good final against Arsenal, because it is the team who scores the most goals against the team that concedes the least.
