Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard has pledged to stay true to his side's attacking philosophy for Tuesday night's Champions League semi-final showdown at
Manchester United.
Following last week's goalless first-leg draw at the Nou Camp, Barca could
have opted for a safety-first attitude for Tuesday's return meeting at Old
Trafford and look to sneak an away goal.
However, that would be a break from tradition for a side famed for their
forward play, and Rijkaard believes it would be wrong to switch to more
defensive tactics for the game with United.
'I think that we have always maintained our style of play wherever we have
been, with only one exception, which was when we went to play at Chelsea's
ground,' Rijkaard said, recalling the 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in October
2006.
'There we played much more defensively than we are used to because at that
point Chelsea were a very well-armed, organised and hard-working team, who were
very dangerous on the counter-attack.
'But against Manchester United we have to play strong. To defend is not the
correct course of action in this case. We have to play with aggression and by
putting them under pressure.'
Rijkaard knows it is unlikely to be easy at Old Trafford, but is adamant his
side can put aside their poor domestic form and make it through to the Champions
League final.
'It is a difficult ground and a strong team, but I think that we can get
through,' said the Dutchman, who side have won just one of their last nine
league matches while on Saturday they lost 2-0 at Deportivo La Coruna - a result
that ultimately ended their chances of catching Primera Liga leaders Real
Madrid.
Rijkaard added: 'United are a team that have no fear. They play how they
know, with a good attitude, with a lot of individual talent and without
complicating things.
'On Tuesday I am sure they will come out more to attack than at the Nou Camp
and we must take advantage of our chances. The keys to the tie? To be aggressive
and put them under a lot of pressure so as to make life difficult for them.
'To defend the result is not our style. We need to worry only about our
play.'
Barca may be famed for their adventurous attacking style and ability to carve
open even the most watertight of defences, but that has not been the case in
recent weeks with the Catalan giants having failed to score in their last three
games.
It is a concern for Rijkaard, who said on television channel TV3: 'We are
finding it hard to score goals, but for this we need to work on our movements
and have the desire to put on more effort and the desire to improve.'
With the Champions League now the only chance Barca have of avoiding a second
successive trophy-less season, there is even more pressure on Rijkaard heading
into Tuesday's match.
Speculation has been rife this season about whether the former Ajax and AC
Milan midfielder will still be in charge at the Nou Camp during the next
campaign.
However, Rijkaard refused to talk about what might happen at the end of the
season, saying: I live day by day and I have a lot of desire and now I want to
complete the job. Then we will see.
'The club have always helped me a lot but we need to see what is best for
club.
'I can imagine the logical anger of the fans (if Barca get knocked out of
Europe), but we are going to give everything to bring the supporters some
joy.'
