14.05.2007 14:44
“We have to keep on fighting and bring out our pride”
Sergi Nogueras
Speaking after Monday’s training session, Deco called on the players to carry on working hard for the remaining four league matches. For him, it’s a question of pride.
With just four matches left, the players have to hold their heads high, believe in themselves and
look to the future. The Brazilian born Portuguese international midfielder believes that Barça
still have a lot to say in this league: “The league is very balanced and a lot of things can
happen in four matches. We have to keep on fighting and bring out our pride. We’re obliged to
do this and it’s our responsibility”. However, he also struck a note of optimism:
“The league isn’t lost. If there was a big points difference then it would be
complicated. They [Real Madrid] can’t lose or draw. If we win four matches and they draw just
one, then we’re champions”.
End of season the time for analysis
Despite losing the leadership on goal difference, Barça are still firm favourites to lift the
title. The number one objective right now is to win that title and Deco admitted that if that
doesn’t happen, people could say it’s been a bad year: “It’s normal that
people are talking about a crisis because we haven’t won the other competitions and if the
league finishes and we haven’t won, then we can say it’s been a disappointing season.
Many teams prepare themselves to win the league and the Champions League but only one wins. Right
now things are difficult for us. All teams go through difficult times and that’s when we have
to be courageous”.
Unity in the squad
One of the keys to the league title is to make the maximum
use of the unity among the players who have taken the Club to so much success over the last few
seasons. Deco is a firm believer in this unity: “There are still games left to play. Within
the dressing room we’re united and we know that we can win the four remaining matches. Madrid
have reacted and we have failed at key moments. We’ve had a lot of problems this year.
Before, we scored more freely and now it’s more difficult and we’re paying for that. We
have to look for the reasons in the dressing room and keep on working and training”.
Betis and Getafe
In just three days, Barça has suffered two sever blows: being knocked out of the Cup and
losing the league leadership. However, Deco believes it would be wrong to see the two matches from
the same perspective: “We’re ashamed of what happened against Getafe. But the match
against Betis was different”. According to Deco: “It isn’t a physical problem.
It’s a mental one. In the first half, the team played well and worked hard. But there are
moments when we have to be more centred and not make mistakes. Winning 1-0 and with the league at
stake you just can’t do that. It wasn’t a problem of attitude. We played well, and we
fought and worked. The image we gave was different from against Getafe. The equaliser came from a
lack of concentration”.
The fans
The fans have had to suffer quite a lot during the last few days but Deco believes they are
still firmly behind the team: “People always want the best for FC Barcelona. Everyone is
entitled to say what they like and the fans have always supported us when we needed them. I thought
that the reception in the Camp Nou would be worse but when we started playing they cheered us on
and we can only be grateful for that. The team has to have courage and desire, and give everything
to win. We have to have respect for ourselves and the fans. What has to be guaranteed is that
we’ll give 100%”.