© EuroFootball.com
EuroFootball.com continues the article series "Awaiting the Final," and this time presents thoughts about Frank Rijkaard and Arsene Wenger and the opinions of both coaches about each other.
"We just have to work a lot," Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said throughout the season. It doesn't matter if the team wins or suffers some rare failure - the opinion of the Dutch specialist remains the same every day.
Catalan journalists even help keep away their colleagues from abroad when they start asking Rijkaard about his team's preparedness. Whether it's a match against Chelsea, Benfica, Milan, or even Arsenal, the Catalans already know what the coach will say.
The work continues.
"Arsenal" coach Arsene Wenger is more relaxed. Of course, this season is a time of continuous work for him, but he manages to joke with reporters, and the rejuvenated Gunners are successfully making their way to the final.
"I said I would take you to Paris," the French specialist begins the press conference after the second match against Villarreal.
Wenger's face shows a smile. However, a few events showed how quickly the face of Arsenal's coach can change. Without hesitation, the Frenchman laid out everything he thought about his colleague from Tottenham, Martin Jol, and his team after the match ended in a draw and Arsenal urgently needed points to fight for a place in the next season's Champions League. Now those crazy matches with the Spurs are over, and Arsenal won the battle.
Feeling of freedom.
The coach's emotional outburst undoubtedly affected his players. And it must be noted, in a positive way. Youngsters Cesc Fabregas, Matthieu Flamini, Philippe Senderos, Emmanuel Eboue, and Alexander Hleb grabbed the opportunity given to them with both hands and started playing freely, but accurately and effectively, believing in victory and not afraid of making mistakes.
Observers note that the fate of the Gunners in the Champions League final in Paris will depend greatly on whether Wenger can harness the freedom of those young players to work for the good of the whole team. Then success is guaranteed.
"He just lets you unfold and be who you are," says Arsenal leader Thierry Henry. "It's very important, and that feeling cannot be experienced in communication with everyone. He knows when he needs to speak and when he needs to remain silent."
Cold as steel.
Barcelona's strategist Frank Rijkaard remained outwardly calm, maybe even intimidating. In short, cold as steel. His team marched triumphantly towards Paris. Despite all the whims and praises accompanying the Catalan club this season, there is some mystical calmness inside Rijkaard. Players and coaches are just doing their job. Just like Rijkaard's plea - "we just have to work a lot."
The arrogance of Chelsea's coach, Jose Mourinho, with one ironic phrase after another aimed at the Catalan club, its coaches, players, did not affect Rijkaard.
Rijkaard responded with a smile. Maybe a bit ironic, but a smile. And to the Portuguese hints about the "war of words in the press," Barca responded by eliminating Chelsea from the race for the strongest European club title. Word - smile, word - victory.
Less talk - more work. This saying undoubtedly best reflects the tactic chosen by Rijkaard.
Feeling of tranquility.
"He is excellent. He is the best," says Barcelona's president Juan Laporta. "Frank, in my opinion, is valuable because he can instill peace where it is most needed. He is a sensitive person," adds J. Laporta.
And indeed, remember how Rijkaard comforted and supported the young Lionel Messi when the Argentine had to leave the field due to injury in the match against Chelsea. Remember the look Rijkaard had at that moment, and everything will become clear.
"He leads even in the locker room," says the president of the Catalan club. And indeed, the team remains a team, even in the dressing room. "He needs to find common ground with many different personalities, and he does it excellently. This is the key to success," says J. Laporta.
About each other.
No one disputes that at one time Frank Rijkaard was a top-class player. By the way, this is the same player whom Arsene Wenger tried to attract to Monaco, but he went to Milan.
"I like him because he is humble. Because he just lets his players go onto the field and show what they can do," says the Gunners' coach. Wenger emphasizes that it was precisely Rijkaard who managed to turn Barcelona around by 180 degrees. "He came to Barcelona when the situation was not very good. Most importantly, Frank changed the team for the better, while remaining in the shadow of honor himself," adds the Frenchman.
Arsenal's flight is undoubtedly Wenger's achievement," Rijkaard does not hesitate to laud the opponent's coach. "If a team is changing and many young talents are added, patience and the ability to wait for good results are needed. But what I saw fascinated me. It's incredible. They improved rapidly. He (Wenger) raised them."
Wednesday in Paris.
For Rijkaard, the Champions League final is a chance. A chance to become an elite member. An elite that has already managed to win the champion's cup both as players and as coaches. Rijkaard had the opportunity to raise the winner’s trophy thrice - twice with Milan and once with Ajax.
For Wenger, who lost the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final in 1992 and the UEFA Cup final in 2000, victory in Paris would be a wonderful gift to mark his and the Gunners' decade-long friendship.
