Cocu looking forward

By Alex Eeles

Back-to-back wins against Albacete Balompié, CA Osasuna and Club Atlético de Madrid have propelled FC Barcelona into fourth place in the Primera División, the crucial final qualifying spot for the UEFA Champions League.

Main objective
For the club's Dutch international Phillip Cocu, maintaining that position is paramount for Barça. "At the beginning of the season the main objective was to qualify for the Champions League," he told uefa.com. "We also wanted to do well in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup but the most important thing is to be playing in the Champions League next year."

Big blow
The team's recent form is undoubtedly much improved but, having crashed out of the Copa del Rey earlier this month, the pressure is on to maintain their revival in the league and also continue their interest in the UEFA Cup. "Going out of the cup was a big blow because it was our best chance of a title this year but hopefully the victories in the league will give the team some confidence going in to our next few games," he said.

Back to fitness
The return of Ronaldinho and Carlos Puyol from injury has coincided with Barcelona's recent revival and 33-year-old Cocu is hopeful that there are signs of the club's recent injury crisis beginning to recede. "The general fitness of the squad is OK and we almost have everybody fit again," he said. "This is very important as we will need as many players fit as possible for our next few games."

Board backing
After an inauspicious start, the criticism of coach Frank Rijkaard is also beginning to show signs of abating and Cocu is hoping the Barcelona board are true to their word and give his compatriot enough time to turn things around. "It's very important for the team that Frank Rijkaard stays on as manager," said the midfielder.

Turning point
"The president has said this time we have to be patient and allow a trainer to work for a while on the team. Sometimes it is difficult to do that if results are not good but I think the board are trying to work in a way which will stabilise the situation at the club. Everyone is waiting for a turning point when we can fight for a championship and some titles again."

Home advantage
Barcelona travel to Denmark to face Brøndby IF in their third round first-leg tie in the UEFA Cup next week and Cocu is confident that the team will be fully focused on getting a good result to take back to Camp Nou the following week.

Confident approach
"Although I don't know a lot about Brøndby, I do know that Michael Laudrup is their trainer and they are doing very well in the Danish league," said Cocu. "If we can get a good result in Denmark, then we can be confident about the home game."

Overdue honour
In fact, Barcelona have not lost at Camp Nou since a demoralising defeat by Real Madrid CF at the beginning of December. And although qualification for next season's Champions League remains their number one priority, Cocu knows that a trophy is long overdue.

Title soon
"It's very important that we win a title very soon and give something back to the fans," Cocu said. "After a few years without one, the pressure is rising, but I think the coach and the playing staff are capable of doing it."