Ronaldinho ruled out
Ronaldinho has been omitted from the Barcelona squad for Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final return leg at Valencia.
Coach Frank Rijkaard said the Brazilian was not fit for the tie, in which Barca need to score to cancel-out Valencia’s away goal at the Nou Camp three weeks ago.
“(Wednesday) was the first day (Ronaldinho) has trained with the team for several days,” Rijkaard told club website www.fcbarcelona.cat.
“He wanted to play but we left him out as a precautionary measure.
“I have no doubts about the player, and although he has problems, he wants to play. My idea is always to defend the players. I see no need to draw conclusions anywhere other than in the dressing room.”
The former world footballer of the year sat out Barca’s 2-2 Primera Liga draw with Almeria on Sunday complaining of pain in his left thigh, before training for just six minutes on Monday due to the same complaint.
A scan on Monday, however, revealed the Brazilian is not suffering from any injury.
Rijkaard said all his players were committed to the task of qualifying for the Copa del Rey final after the Catalans were held to a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp last month.
“Everybody knows how important the game is,” he said.
“We have to qualify and present a good image of ourselves.
“All of the players are committed to the team, (though) unfortunately the team is used to playing with important players missing. They are ready.”
