Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has highlighted the importance of individual exploits in concluding Barca's 6-0 hammering of Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderon. Argentine sensation Lionel Messi's 39th minute strike paved a one-way traffic display for the Catalans as his goal started a six-minute blitz, with Gianluca Zambrotta and Samuel Eto'o giving Barca a 3-0 halftime lead. "After Messi's first goal Atletico had to open up and that was when the individual class in our team made the difference, we exploited that very well and scored some great goals," Rijkaard told a press conference. In the second half, Ronaldinho, Messi and Andres Iniesta completed the massive score line, and Rijkaard was glad to see his side produce such an away performance. Barca have failed to beat Atletico at Calderon since Rijkaard took charge in 2003, but the Dutchman ended their domination in style. "This result gives us hope. We've shown we are capable of playing a good game against a team that normally does well against us," he added.
As was Messi with a brace Barca are level on 69 points with Real Madrid, who are on top thanks to their head-to-head record with the titleholders, but Rijkaard is more concerned on bagging maximum points from the remaining three games. "I'm confident we can win the three games we have left. As regards the rest we'll have to wait and see." The contest at the top is wide open before the end, with Sevilla keeping the chase with Real and Barca, trailing the duo with just two points. "With three weeks remaining there is more than just one favorite. We all have to cope with the pressure because it's not easy and any team is capable of springing a surprise."
