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Euro success not enough as Rijkaard feels strain at Barca
MADRID (AFP) - Frank Rijkaard can do nothing right at the moment with Barcelona fans jeering their manager's decisions even though he has guided them to the Champions League semi-finals.
Barcelona will face Manchester United for a place in this season's Champions League final but that has not appeased the club's demanding fans, who have watched their team fall seven points behind Real Madrid in the title race.
"I realise the jeers were aimed at me but I make my changes based on my ideas," said Rijkaard. "My job is just that and I take my own decisions."
Barcelona, who will be without the injured Andres Iniesta, travel to struggling Recreativo Huelva on Saturday needing three points to put pressure back on Real.
Recreativo will not lack motivation with the club a mere three points clear of the drop with just seven games left.
"We want to win the seven games we have left," said Yaya Toure.
"We have had a lot of bad luck this season and we have not won a lot of matches due to a lack of efficiency but we are all united towards the same goal."
Real Madrid players have to watch the Champions League on the tv - after being eliminated by Roma - but are in a strong position in the league and will be well rested for Sunday's home match against Real Murcia.
"The league is a different competition because you can make a mistake and rectify it but in the Champions League there is no room for error," explained Brazilian Julio Baptista.
"I am happy with our league position and we have to continue showing that we want to win the title again."
Real have slipped up several times since the turn of the year but their mistakes have gone unpunished with Barcelona unable to capitalise.
Murcia are seven points from safety but new coach Javier Clemente has started a mini-revival to give them hope of staying up.
Villarreal are also seven points behind Real although their management and playing staff have inisted that beating Barca into second is the main objective.
Villarreal travel to Almeria on Sunday and defender Santi Cazorla hopes Barca's Champions League run can benefit them.
"The more games you play at the highest level the most testing it is," said Cazorla. "They (Barcelona) will focus on that competition (the Champions League) and that can only be good for us."
The top three look set in stone leaving Atletico Madrid, Racing Santander and Sevilla vying for fourth.
Atletico occupy fourth at present holding a three-point cushion over Racing heading into Sunday's match at Valladolid.
Racing face Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium and will hope the hosts lose focus with the Kings Cup final - between Valencia and Getafe - six days away.
Sevilla are a further two points back in sixth after last weekend's victory over Villarreal.
Manolo Jimenez's team travel to Real Mallorca, who drew 1-1 with Real Madrid last time out, on Sunday, wary that a lot of clubs are looking at Brazilian international full back Daniel Alves.
Alves, who was furious at not being allowed to join Chelsea in the summer, has been sensational of late and Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido says he is the best right back in the world.
"For 25 million euros I will send Daniel Alves's boots to Barcelona," said del Nido. "He is perhaps the best right back in the world today and my hope is that he continue with us for the remaining four years (on his contract)."
Elsewhere Getafe entertain struggling Real Zaragoza.
Zaragoza, sixth last season, are third from bottom after a torrid season that began with hopes of challenging for a Champions League berth.
Fixtures
Saturday
Valencia v Racing Santander (1900 GMT), Recreativo Huelva v Barcelona (2100 GMT)
Sunday - all 1600 GMT unless stated
Valladolid v Atletico Madrid, Real Betis v Levante, Getafe v Real Zaragoza, Espanyol v Osasuna, Deportivo La Coruna v Athletic Bilbao, Mallorca v Sevilla, Real Madrid v Real Murcia (1800 GMT), Almeria v Villarreal (2000 GMT)
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