Harsh criticism for Barca`s `Fantastic Four` (28.08.2007)
Supersport, South Africa
Barcelona`s `Fantastic Four` came in for scathing criticism on Monday following the club`s dismal opening 0-0 draw against Racing Santander on Sunday.
Since Barca snatched Thierry Henry from Arsenal in the summer, much has been made of the Catalan giants` quartet of attacking armoury, which includes Brazilian Ronaldinho, Argentine Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto`o of Cameroon.
It took Barcelona 43 minutes to create their first chance against Racing and despite playing with a man advantage in the second period, they failed to break down stubborn opponents.
"It`s the same old mistakes, nothing has changed," said Dutch legend and former Barca player and coach Johan Cruyff in a column for the Catalan newspaper El Periodico.
Current Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard came in for some harsh treatment too after replacing Messi with Henry in the second half.
Henry hit the post but Messi had been Braca`s most dangerous player with Ronaldinho and Eto`o anonymous.
"It wasn`t a
goodday for us. We lacked a bit of freshness but it`s not the end of the world," said Rijkaard.
It seems, though, that all is not well in the Braca camp with Portuguese playmaker Deco known to be unhappy that he was not in the starting line-up while rumours persist that Chelsea want to prise Ronaldinho away for €70 million.
Midfielder Xavi reacted angrily to a question about Barca`s attack on Sunday night.
"That`s enough about the fantastics. In the dressing room we talk only about the team," he snapped.
Barca`s poor start was exacerbated by champions Real Madrid`s positive opening with a 2-1 derby victory over Atletico.
Comparisons have been drawn between the current Barcelona team and the old galacticos of Real, whose coaches often had trouble managing the various egos in the dressing room.
Spanish newspaper Marca claimed on Monday that Ronaldinho wants to leave because he is fed up at paying high taxes in Spain but Barca`s technical secretary Txiki Begiristain said: "He is staying
