Laporta's comments last week that the coach and players were to blame for last season's title loss were seen as a swipe at Rijkaard, but the Barca supremo explained: "It's untrue that my speech has put a distance between myself and the coach.

"All the members of the dressing room and the technical body have done an analysis and we agreed we must be united, as always, to find the right form and to achieve the greatest success. Rijkaard and I are united.

"We have had an experience last season that we must learn from and not repeat.

"I trust the football staff and Rijkaard because they have shown they can lead this team."