Rijkaard: "We're excited"

Frank Rijkaard knows all about a Champions League final. The Barcelona coach has won the competition with AC Milan and Ajax Amsterdam as a player. Now he has the opportunity on Wednesday night to add a trophy to his collection, but this time as a coach.

Despite all the media scrutiny surrounding the game and the importance of Wednesday's final against Arsenal, Rijkaard believes his team is relaxed going into the game:

"We're not feeling any pressure. We're just excited to be here and eager to play the game. This game is generating a lot of attention but I think it's normal."

Barcelona go into Wednesday's game having won only one Champions League previously, and to secure this year's trophy would be a great achievement for the Dutchman:

"It would mean a lot to the club. Not only to the club, but to the players and the fans. The fact that Barcelona haven't won more trophies in their history isn't important at this moment in time."

In the days and weeks leading up to the game, all the media attention has focused on the duel between possibly the two greatest players in world football at the moment, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry. Rijkaard prefers to focus on the unity in his squad:

"It's a good thing we have big stars in our teams. But the most important is the team itself. And I would like to congratulate them for all of their hard work at the moment. There is a lot of respect amongst the players in the dressing room. It's the basis for success. Those are things you can't always see but which are very important when it comes to the final result."

Former teammate and fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp will be on the Arsenal bench tonight, for his last appearance in a Gunners' shirt. The Barcelona coach has a lot of respect for the Arsenal legend:

"Dennis is someone very special, especially for me, as I've known him since we played together when he was young. He's one of these players who make people want to come to the stadium. If you look at what he has done in his career, you could compare it to art. I appreciate him a lot."

Hopefully, Bergkamp can come on to grace the Stade de France with one last special goal on Wednesday, as he bids farewell to the world of football.