Reiziger seeks Barça rise

By Alex Eeles

One of FC Barcelona's longest-serving players, Michael Reiziger is working with his fifth coach in seven seasons at the club. Having been a bit-part player for many of those campaign, he is now enjoying an extended run in the side under former Netherlands trainer Frank Rijkaard.

European challenge
Although the team continue to be plagued by inconsistency, the 30-year-old Dutch international is confident the Catalan outfit will be among the competition favourites when the UEFA Cup resumes on 26 February.

Cold prospects
Barcelona face tricky third-round opponents in Danish league leaders Brøndby IF, whom they last met in the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League. On that occasion Barcelona won both home and away, but Reiziger will be taking nothing for granted this time around.

'A strong team'
"We are expecting a very hard game," he told uefa.com. "I played against Brøndby in 1998/99 and I remember it being very cold when we played them in Denmark. They are a strong team and it will be difficult to play over there this time as well."

Different proposition
Of course, this Barcelona vintage is very different to the Primera División-winning side of 1998/99. That team contained stars such as Luís Figo and Rivaldo, both of whom have since moved on. Nevertheless, Reiziger is confident that the current squad has the ability to emulate their illustrious predecessors.

Potential winners
"That year we had a very strong team," he said. "We won the Primera División and had many great players. A lot of those players have now left the club, but I'm confident the squad we have is more than capable of winning titles."

Pressure on
This season has again seen a number of new players arrive at Camp Nou, and Reiziger has no doubt that the constant comings and goings have been a major factor in Barcelona's inconsistent form. "Recently we have had a lot of new arrivals," he said. "It takes time for new players to settle and start playing their best football, especially at a club like Barcelona where there is always so much pressure to do well."

Kluivert whispers
The revolving door had been expected to move into action during the January transfer window, with Reiziger's Dutch international team-mate Patrick Kluivert linked with a move to join Dennis Bergkamp at English side Arsenal FC. However, the window has now closed and Kluivert remains at Barcelona - for which Reiziger is grateful.

Staying put
"The team would miss a player of his quality," he said. "I played with Patrick at [AFC] Ajax as well and he is a very good player. I can understand why any team - including Arsenal - would want him but if he can keep scoring goals and playing well for Barcelona then I'm sure they would not want him to leave."

Long haul
Reiziger himself is in it for the long haul at Barcelona, despite speculation to the contrary. "Although there have been rumours in the past about me moving to England, at the moment I have no plans to leave Barcelona," he insisted.

'Ultimate aim'
"I am focused only on playing well for the team as we have a very hectic schedule between now and the end of the season. Qualifying for the Champions League is definitely the ultimate aim but we are also desperate to win the UEFA Cup as it is important that a club like Barcelona win titles."

Michael Reiziger's personal website is at www.icons.com