Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard admits he believes the club's spate of serious injuries this term might not be down to just bad luck alone. Henrik Larsson became the Catalans' latest casualty in last weekend's 3-0 win over Real Madrid. The Swede has been ruled out for six months after becoming the fifth Barca player to suffer knee ligament damage this term. Thiago Motta, Gabri, Edmilson and Silvinho have all picked up similar injuries, although the Brazilian full back's was less serious and he is now back in action. All five players injured themselves whilst playing at Camp Nou, and Rijkaard has revealed he will be 'investigating' some factors he believes may have played a part in the club's recent problems. "You could speculate on it all you want, but I don't know (if the injuries after just bad luck), it's very strange," he stated. "I have some things in mind that we can investigate, but I'm not going to tell them to the press. "They must remain inside the dressing room." ***from skysports.planetfootball.com i have to say that i am surprised here, i didnt know that ALL the knee injuries happened at our home ground. throughout the real match and the cl match again celtic.. the commentators were discussing the poor quality of the pitch. saying that players consistently seem to be losing their footing... i wonder if this is what rijkaard is referring to? what else could they investigate? he cant think that his players are being sabotaged? also,... "Henrik Larsson has insisted that he thinks the Swedish Player of the Year award is cursed." he says that both times he has won the award he has been injured shortly after, this apparently has happened to two other winners of the award. strange.............
I find this very interesting indeed, but the state that the pitch was in for the Celtic match i wouldn't have been surprised if anybody else picked up injurys... I would also like to say how disappointed i am to seee Larsson out with a long term injury again, as a MASSIVE Celtic fan i was hoping him the best of luck when he left Celtic Park, I also find it very odd that both time he has won swedish player of the year he picked up a bad injury, odd.... I also think that it was very kind of Barca to offer him a new contract when he found out he got the injury,i hope that he does return and sure he will be as strong as ever......
thanks for the words.. i agree, i love larsson. such a true ambassador of the game. i really hope he makes a return, the faith shown in him by barca is wonderful.
Only yesterday I pointed out 2 a colleague that all of Barcas' knee injuries happened @ the Camp and couldn't understand y nobody had recognised a pattern! U would expect the Academy 2 be as lush as a bowling green.
I recall reading an article after Silvinho's injury that said Barca was looking to investigate the newly installed heating system below the pitch. They werent sure if the heating system for the pitch may be lossening the turf. Does anyone else know anything about this??? the article was in El Mundo D