BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - Barcelona have played some of the most entertaining football in Europe this season, but the Catalan club's fans were warned that they may have to settle for something less for once on Tuesday.
Barcelona play host to Milan in their Champions League group F match on Wednesday, which the home side need to win to ensure they progress without any undue worries towards the last 16.
"The result is the only thing that matters against Milan. We are going out there with this in mind. We need the support of our fans but I want them to know what type of game to expect," said the Dutch coach here Monday.
Rijkaard said that he expected his Brazilian right back Belletti to start, after being given green light to play by club medical staff after recent problems with his left achilles tendon.
However Rijkaard has worries over another Brazilian in his dressing room, the mesmerising World Cup winner Ronaldinho.
"He's got ankle worries and but they are getting better day-by-day. And I would want a player like Ronaldinho playing because even if he is not 100 percent he still gives us a whole range of possibilities.
"The problems have been there for a while but I think you saw against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend that he played better than he has done for a few games," added Rijkaard.
Rijkaard said that he didn't expect Milan to offer too many surprises, after all he is a former Milan player and still has many friends at the club.
"They've got a very tough defence and I expect them to play to their strengths and play defensively, even though they have plenty of quality up front."
Ronaldinho shrugged off his chronic ankle niggles to reassure Barca fans that he wasn't going to let the side down against the Italians visitors, who beat Barcelona 1-0 in their San Siro stadium two weeks ago.
"I am not playing at the level of last season and every game brings its share of pain but I'm not worried because I'm not far from my best."
"The small problems I've got are stopping me being at my very best so I'll be very happy when I get there."
"Actually, I'm happy at the moment as well, but I have to admit there is just a little something missing," added the ever-smiling Barcelona number 10 who is a prime candidate for the FIFA World Player of the Year.
11/01/2004 - 19:12 GMT - AFP