Dutch manager Frank Rijkaard has refused to give up Barcelona's chances of winning the La Liga title despite falling eight points behind league leaders Real Madrid after Barca could only manage a 0-0 draw with Espanyol on Saturday evening.

Rijkaard maintains: "We will not give up on the Liga. This question will always receive the same answer because our mentality will not allow us to concede anything.

"We must prepare for every game ahead of us with the motivation to win.

"I have no problem with our confidence. What is confidence in football? The ball goes in, or it doesn't. The most important thing is the spirit of the team and the work they're doing in training."