Barcelona are not that far behind the standard of rivals Real Madrid and league leaders Valencia according to coach Frank Rijkaard.
Despite languishing in seventh place in La Primera Liga with just seven wins in their last 20 league games the former Dutch international insists the Catalan club are on the right track.
“If we can break this tendency and see that we can get right up there I think the difference will prove not so great,” said Rijkaard.
The former Holland international also spoke of the enormous pressure to win trophies at the Nou Camp – something which he believes has become a burden for the club andits players.
“I knew it would be difficult from the start – there are several players in the squad who have been here for years and the people have this feeling of having won nothing for four years,’ added Rijkaard.
“Barca are obliged to win things but I knew this would weigh heavily on the team and I knew I would have to change things little by little,.
