The Champions League victory was Barca's best performance of the season and Rijkaard beamed: "We did everything to earn a good result, I congratulate my players and the fans, who supported us so much.

"We worked very hard against a good team, we did not give them any opportunities and we had the patience to obtain our objective. It is necessary to congratulate and to thank the fans, because their support was what we needed, particularly in such an important match.

"Messi had a great game, Gabriel Milito made a good impression and Ronaldinho had some very good moments."