Madrid: It was a day of farewells for Barcelona as coach Frank Rijkaard said an emotional goodbye after five years and his team gave him the perfect send-off with a 5-3 win at relegated Real Murcia.

Rijkaard won two league titles and the 2006 Champions League crown to etch his name in Barca's history books but he will now make way for reserve team coach Pep Guardiola after two seasons without silverware.

Rijkaard's final match was a festival of goals as 19-year-old Mexican striker Giovani dos Santos scored a hat-trick with Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry also on target yesterday.

The Dutch coach allowed himself a huge smile, something he has not been able to do much this season, as Giovani scored two great goals to complete his hat-trick.

Saturday's game could be both Eto'o and Henry's final match in a Barca shirt with their futures far from clear but both signed off by getting on the scoresheet.

Brazilian Ronaldinho and Portuguese playmaker Deco are set to follow Rijkaard out of the Camp Nou exit door but took no part against Murcia.

 

Source : PTI