Frank Rijkaard hailed Barcelona's attitude after they thumped Valencia 6-0 in La Liga despite seeing their trophy hopes ended in midweek.Barca's last chance of salvaging some silverware from a largely disappointing season was crushed in midweek when they were knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage by Manchester United.
The famously attack-minded Catalan side paid a heavy price for not being able to score in either leg against United as they lost 1-0 on aggregate, and Rijkaard admitted his side's run of four games without a goal was a concern.
However, Barca responded in some style at the Nou Camp on Sunday as goals from Lionel Messi, Xavi, Thierry Henry (2) and Bojan Krkic (2) heaped yet more misery on struggling Valencia.
"The team has shown a good attitude, courage and pride. They have shown the correct mentality in a difficult moment," said Rijkaard.
"Every team needs a goal to give them confidence and security. It seems to me that they (Valencia) wanted a goalless draw, but to score so soon opens up the possibilities to score more.
"We are happy to have won, but not with the season we have had. It is for this reason that we are a little reserved. I think that the opinion of the public was the same, because with the score at 3-0 the Nou Camp was silent.
"But the fans have to think that the team have kept true to their philosophy of playing the game."
Barca's players were welcomed out onto the pitch at the start of game by the waving of white handkerchiefs by the home fans, who were showing their anger at the club's lack of success.
Club president Joan Laporta was on the receiving end of some of the abuse, with fans chanting "Barca yes, Laporta no" in the lead-up to half-time.
Laporta told Barca TV: "The reaction of the supporters was logical and deserved, bearing in mind the disappointing season in terms of results, especially in the league.
"We are very clear in that we will give it our all to the very end because it's what all of Barcelona deserves."
Next up for Barca is a trip to the Bernabeu on Wednesday to take on arch-rivals Real Madrid, who on Sunday clinched their 31st Primera Liga title.
"We will go to Madrid with our heads held high," said Laporta.
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