Valdes Defends Rijkaard

There is a growing feeling that Rijkaard will leave the club at the end of the season, having failed to win silverware of both of the last two campaigns, but Valdes believes that people should not forget what the coach has done for the club.

"He has made history here," Valdes told a press conference on Friday.

"For that reason I wait and hope that he will continue here for many years. He is an amply qualified person for a club like this and that in addition he always transmits a positive image."

Despite the fact that Barça have not won any trophies this season, Valdes thinks that it is overly harsh to call the campaign a failure.

"We have done as much as we can. Sometimes you win and sometimes, like now, you lose, but we go out with our heads held high. For that reason I believe that the word failure is very strong. I prefer to use the word disappointment," he affirmed.

Barcelona's players could be forced to give Real Madrid a guard of honour when they take to the field at the Bernabeu in midweek and Valdes indicated that this was not a problem for the team, as they are able to take defeat in a sporting manner.

"One can see themselves as a part of Barça, but it is always necessary to be sporting and to accept defeat when it comes," he concluded.


Rijkaard: We Can Win At Old Trafford