Rijkaard: Barce ready to up the ante

BARCELONA coach Frank Rijkaard insists his side are ready to put an alarming dip in form behind them and salvage their season against Schalke tonight.

After crashing out of the Copa del Rey and losing ground to Real Madrid in the Primera Division, the Champions League now represents Barca’s best chance this season.

However, the Dutchman sees no reason to get carried away amid reports his future at the club depends on his side progressing to the last four.

“Nothing has changed for me and we go into the game as normal and try to score as we always do,” he said.

With only one win in their last seven games, the pressure is increasing on the 2006 Champions League winners, although Rikjaard claims the poor run of form has helped his side bond.

“We have moved closer as a squad and a few home truths have come out,” he said yesterday. “I will be looking for a reaction tomorrow.”

Barca hit their season’s low point at the weekend when they threw away a 2-0 lead at Real Betis to lose 3-2 and Rijkaard admits it has taken time to deal with that disappointment.

He has ruled out a recovery for Ronaldinho tonight, though Samuel Eto’o may be in line for a return.

Defender Rafael Marquez says he is fit and ready after several weeks out with an ankle injury.

Rijkaard agrees however his side faces a tough test at the Arena AufSchalke tonight.

“The fact Schalke is at home, with such an atmosphere from the crowd is certainly no disadvantage for them,” Rikjaard said. “They are a good team and we have a lot of respect for Schalke and know it is going to be difficult.

“We are aware of the fact that there are enough teams throughout Europe who are physically stronger than we are, particularly in England, but also from Germany. But we have to play to our strengths,” he said.

Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Bergiristain warned the club will make a decision on the future of every player at the end of the season.

And while Bergiristain insists jobs are safe for now, he warned the club will be looking to make some changes come May.

“There’s no need to make drastic decisions,” he said.

“At the end of the season we’ll assess the effort, the age, the negative and positive progression of each player.

“If at the end of the year we haven’t been happy with the effort of individuals, then we’ll decide if we want that player to continue or not, but now we can’t damage the group.”

Meanwhile, Schalke coach Mirko Slomka believes his side are meeting Barcelona at just the right time to cause an upset.

Schalke have picked up 10 points from their last four Bundesliga fixtures to move to third place in their league.

Slomka is calling on his team to capitalise on Barca’s slump in form at the Arena AufSchalke tonight.

“They have conceded 12 goals in the last six games — 15 if you include the cup — and this is a lot for such a top team,” Slomka said.

“Their away form has not been so good in the league and so we do have a chance here at home with our excellent fans behind us.”