Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has rejected suggestions that the club have given up on their league campaign, despite resting three first-team players from the squad to face Deportivo on Saturday.

Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Xavi have all been omitted from Rijkaard's eighteen man squad for the game, but the Dutchman has indicated that his decision to leave them out was not influenced by either their current league position, or the upcoming second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Manchester United on Tuesday.

"Before thinking about the result, I think about the health of my players," he told a press conference ahead of Saturday's match.

"My decision is not influenced by being first or second or still in the Champions League."

The Dutchman went on to explain that Eto'o and Xavi are both "in need of a rest", while Messi's case is "something different", due to his recent return from injury.

"Many people seem to think that Messi is ready to play ninety minutes, but unfortunately that is not the case," he asserted.

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