Barcelona coach Frank
Rijkaard believes the dismissal of Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos
hurt his side as much as it did their rivals in the 1-1 draw at the Nou
Camp on Saturday.
"Before Roberto Carlos was sent off it was a more open game, but once he
went they decided to sit back and concentrate on defence," the Dutchman
told a news conference.
"We hurried things too much after that as we tried to get another goal,
but we ended up creating fewer chances when we were playing against 10
men."
Barca took the lead through a Ronaldinho penalty in the 22nd minute
after midfielder Mark van Bommel easily went to ground under a challenge
from Roberto Carlos.
The Brazilian full back picked up a yellow card for complaining about
the decision and minutes later was given a straight red for saying
something to the referee when he was penalised for a foul on Henrik
Larsson.
Real snatched an equaliser thanks to a classy solo goal from Ronaldo
before the break and the visitors produced a gritty defensive display to
hold out for a draw.
The result did little to slow Barca's progress towards a second
successive title as the Catalans remain 11 points clear at the top with
seven games left to play.
"Although we are not happy with the draw, it is quite a good result for
us," said Rijkaard. "We remain on the right course and if we keep
working hard we will improve. At this stage of the season the best is
still to come."
Real striker Ronaldo complained that referee Luis Medina Cantalejo had
done his side no favours.
"Roberto told me he had done nothing to offend the referee," he told
reporters. "He's a phenomenon if he heard an insult given the noise out
there in the stadium.
"The referees seem to be against us. They blow for non-existent
penalties and free kicks." |