Rijkaard respects rival Mourinho

Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard has claimed there is no ill feeling towards Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

The clubs clash on Tuesday night in the Nou Camp in the Champions League. European meetings between Chelsea and Barca have been packed with controversy, including red cards, disputed goals, penalties and verbal outbursts. However, Rijkaard denies there is any bad blood between the two managers.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "There has never been any bad feeling so there is nothing to get over. I have always thought he was a great coach and I respect the way he is working. I have never had any problems with him."

He added: "If you have his kind or personality you have to follow it and stay close to your own mission, your own way. He has been very successful with it. I can only be respectful towards him."

Rijkaard praised Chelsea's solid midfield, adding: "We have played them several times and know how they play.

"They are not as quick as they were two years ago in counter-attacking but they are very solid, consistent, strong and well organised.

"They are playing in a different way with Michael Ballack in midfield. He is closer to the goal of the opponents.

"It is a little bit different and when they don't have the ball they are well organised and give away little space."

Rijkaard also does not believe Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham is finished.

Beckham has been left out of the England squad since Steve McClaren took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson but Rijkaard added: "I do not think [he is finished]. I do not know what the philosophy is of the England coach. Individually I do not think he is over."