Liverpool FC Forum

[Cool Hand Luke]

Eto'o refutes Rijkaard claims

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has hit back at coach Frank Rijkaard amid claims that he refused to come on as a substitute in last weekend's 2-0 home victory over Racing Santander.

Eto'o was named amongst the substitutes for the game as he continued his comeback from a knee ligament injury.

However, Rijkaard insisted he snubbed the chance for a late run-out, drawing an angry response from his prolific front man.

"Telling a news conference I didn't want to play is the behaviour of a bad person," Eto'o blasted.

"They can say what they want but I've always met my obligations to my team-mates. If you want to know what really happened you should ask Rijkaard."

Rijkaard had said earlier in the week: "Eto'o warmed up but afterwards told (assistant coach) Eusebio he did not want to come on.

"I think it's a shame because every minute, every moment, can be important. I haven't spoken with him but I'm always prepared to talk to the players."

Sky Sports

[Ciggy]

Could be a cunning plan from their part pretend they are having problems to lul us into a false sense of security and for Rafa to plan the game thinking he wont play, mind games.
Not that Rafa is stupid and his replacements are just as good, Ill bet my house that he is on the Barca team sheet next week.

[Cool Hand Luke]

He probably will play, but it isn’t part of some sort of cunning plan to distract us.

Both he and Messi will not be 100% for the game at the Nou Camp so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were on the bench.

There not as formidable as last year and it seems as though Eto may have something of a mental block when he comes to his knee, I know if I was Rafa I would be telling something to clatter him nice and early to put him into his shell.

[Espionage]

He probably will play, but it isn’t part of some sort of cunning plan to distract us.

Both he and Messi will not be 100% for the game at the Nou Camp so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were on the bench.

There not as formidable as last year and it seems as though Eto may have something of a mental block when he comes to his knee, I know if I was Rafa I would be telling something to clatter him nice and early to put him into his shell.

I watched Cool Hand Luke last night, Good Movie!

Back on topic.......

If you play Barca you have to expect the best.  I wouldnt mind an Eto'o that isnt match fit as opposed to an Eto'o that is.

[premiership fan]

maybe Liverpool will get lucky http://home.skysports.com/list.as....iration

or not?

[bigmick]

It seems we are getting overrun again with silly people. I'm not sure how to give 'em the elbow but I think if I just keep giving 'em cards it stops em posting for a bit. If inadvertantly my over-zealousness means I ban some poor innocent fecker I apologize in advance but there you go. As it goes, I don't find the spammers a problem particularly and there have been one or two over the years who have actually been really funny. Unfortunately though, most are about as funny as they are bright so there is no place for them on here. Should they wish to re-register on another name or however you do it then that's entirely up to them of course, and as long as they are funny they won't get any bother off me. Alas I fear it may be too much to ask in almost every circumstance.

To the regular posters, sorry you've had to put up with it.

[Sabre]

It makes sense to think that Barcelona does this as a mind game, many clubs do this in one way or another.

But the outburst of Eto'o seems very real, if you see the video. He started being questioned about if he truly refused to play, and that hurted his honour as a player. And he ended really angry, defiant, and with a pointing finger making his points.

Far from getting calmer, this has provoked  a schism or split in the Barcelona camp. Laporta the chairman tried to put in the middle but he didn't manage to calm down the player, who isn't willing to apologise 24 h later and apparently hasn't plans to do so. Eto'o made clear in a radio program that he met the chairman and explained him the "ugly things that are going on in the dressroom and didn't happen the previous 2 years".

Also Eto'o admitted he has been working very hard in order to play against Liverpool and that's why he was so willing to play. He admitted also his ankle is not at 100% and has still some pain in it -good news-

There are some juicy quotes out there, I'll translate later.

Eto'o IMHO has been naive and not too clever. But bloody honest. There have been several decissions that could be seen from outside like a lack of respect and are facts:

* Ronaldinho was given a couple of days extra in the christmas holidays
* Ronaldinho and Deco didn't appear in the voluntary training session of January

It seems that there are real toubles within the Barça camp. This might imply they play worse but also could cause the opposite effect and they try to end the crisis in the pitch.

More later.

[woof woof !]

On Sky sports news this morning a report from an english journalist based in Barcelona (didn't catch his name) . He reckons the upshot of this affair will be that come the summer Rijkaard will leave the club ! .

[red37]

On Sky sports news this morning a report from an english journalist based in Barcelona (didn't catch his name) . He reckons the upshot of this affair will be that come the summer Rijkaard will leave the club ! .

yes i saw that too...a bald fella with no head. (cant remember the name either)

Rijkaard is doomed to leave Barcelona IMO. Which surprises me a little bit given the football they have been regularly playing for a while now. But clearly there is trouble in the ranks.

Mind you, this from a Nation that saw Del Bosque sacked whilst at RM. Another one who in my eyes gained much, but was evidently offered scant credit for his efforts...bizarre.

[stmichael]

On Sky sports news this morning a report from an english journalist based in Barcelona (didn't catch his name) . He reckons the upshot of this affair will be that come the summer Rijkaard will leave the club ! .

yeah they recon he's off to ac milan, which would make sense considering he spent the majority of his career there and was part of that great milan side of the late 80's/early 90's.

rijkaard to ac milan, maureen to inter, mancini to chelsea. get your money on it folks.

[Elchris]

i wonder who barcelona will be looking for replacement...?   I hope itz not but surely will be linked   u noe who

[Rafa D]

On Sky sports news this morning a report from an english journalist based in Barcelona (didn't catch his name) . He reckons the upshot of this affair will be that come the summer Rijkaard will leave the club ! .

Graham Hunter

[puroresu]

I think Rijkaard and Capello will both be leaving Spain.  Rijkaard will go to AC Milan which to me makes sense.  His won everything at Barca and his old club are stuggling. Who better to come in and change the fortunes of the side.

[Barca Murph]

Don't be fooled into thinking that the actions of the last few days will have weakened anything in the Barca camp. If that's what you're hoping for, then i'm sorry to disappoint you.

This whole story has been blown out of all proportion. Eto'o loves Barca (anyone who's seen him in the crowd recently can see that) he also lives to play and score goals. Sitting out with his injury has been so hard for him to take, and he wasn't happy with Ronaldinho for a comment he made (which he thought was hypercritical). But they have now already made up in training.

Whether Eto'o will play against Liverpool is still unclear, but if fit he will definitely play. I also expect Messi to start against you. His injury is totally healed, and it's all about match fitness for him now. He had a decent amount of game time against Racing, and i expect more from him against Valencia this weekend. He will be fit and ready, of that i have no doubt.

[REDTILLDEAD]

Bring it on baby.....bring it on!!.....we fear no one.