Football: Rivaldo's burden of proof

Rivaldo will start tonight's Spanish league game at Compostela knowing that he has not only Barcelona's 100 per cent record to defend but also a point to prove.

The match comes a year after his fellow Brazilian Ronaldo, the man he was signed to replace, scored an extraordinary individual goal against Compostela, which captured the imagination in Spain. As last year, Barcelona go into the game as league leaders but still seeking to prove they have replaced Ronaldo adequately

The pounds 17m acquisition of Rivaldo from Deportivo La Coruna, who have slumped since his departure, should have impressed the fans. But they are not yet convinced of the side's quality, even though the Brazilian's superb close skills on the left have helped them to open a four-point gap lead in only six matches.