"My players are very excited, motivated and very united," Rijkaard said. "But to think that we are favourites to win would be a grave error.

    "Everything starts with being humble and we know we have to go for them from the first minute.

    "All I want is that my players show how they can play, nothing more."

    Rijkaard will give Lionel Messi as long as possible to prove his fitness after a thigh injury, but is upbeat about his side's chances even if the Argentina international cannot feature in Paris.

    "We have a lot of confidence in ourselves," Rijkaard said.

    "This game is not only important for the club but for the players and for the Barca fans.

    "We know we have to play a great game against a very good side in order to win."

    Barca have the best scoring record in the Champions League this season - with 22 goals - but Rijkaard knows Arsenal's defence will not be easy to break down.

    The Gunners have kept a clean sheet in their last 10 European games - setting a record in the process - and Rijkaard said: "It says a lot that they have conceded only two goals in the whole competition.

    "Results have gone their way and this has given their players a lot of confidence.

    "But this is a final and it's going to be very interesting."

    The Barcelona coach says he will not change his tactics to stifle Arsenal captain Thierry Henry, who is the Gunners' main attacking threat.

    "Henry is a great player," Rijkaard added. "But we cannot change everything just for one player." Enditem