Ronaldinho: "The Pressure's On Others, Not Me"

First Team
Tuesday, 05.12.2006 / 07:50

Such performances are normally reserved for the football pitch but at the Monday pre-match press conference, FC Barcelona presented a jolly, funny almost gushingly, exhuberant Ronaldinho.

Such performances are normally reserved for the football pitch but at the Monday pre-match press conference, FC Barcelona presented a jolly, funny almost gushingly, exhuberant Ronaldinho. Before the Brazilian had uttered a single word he firstly spent several minutes posing for the photographers, issuing his ‘Surfer-Greeting’ and beaming joyously. As the press-conference got down to the more serious nitty-gritty, Ronaldinho answered every question with a broad smile – His message: “The pressure is on others, not me!”

 

The international superstar was honest about his attitude toward the ‘Beautiful Game’: “Everyone knows that I always want to play and that it was very difficult for me on Saturday in Levante just to sit and watch from a window. I enjoy every game but tomorrow I’m looking forward to a special final.”

 

Any feelings that the Spanish giants may not be taking the German league cup winners too seriously could be put to rights despite the glowing, smiling star. Ronaldinho was quick to put any misunderstandings straight: “No, no we have a lot of respect. Tomorrow there will only be good players on each side. We are well prepared, have watched videos of them, we know the players personally – we know all about Werder!” To underline his statement he added: “In my head there is no room for anything else, I’m just thinking about a win tomorrow.”

 

The Barcelona coach Frank Rijkard was disinterested in any talk of feeling particular pressure to defend the title: “It’s no different to anything else. I think Werder are under more pressure. They consider themselves to be stronger than they were last year and now they will have to prove that”, commented Rijkard whose team intend to make life difficult for the north German club: “We will take on our task with a great deal of passion and there will be eleven men on the pitch who will give their all for the full 90 minutes. It’s an honour for us to be involved in such a game.”

 

A committed performance will be absolutely necessary against Werder as Rijkard is aware of the psychological strength of the German side: “They have a strong formation. They are a big side and are noticeably different to us. There are a number of plays from them which we will have to prevent.”

 

The Catalan club are hoping to play something of a one-two with their fans, Rijkard remarked: “Of course there are some supporters who are nervous but that is a good thing. We can feel their emotions, it’s positive when they sing and scream. I’m sure that thee will be something of an exchange between the players and the fans. We will return their emotions on the pitch.”

 

Johnnie Muldoon

 

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