FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.05.2007 01:31

Deco: "We played a side that was more motivated than normal"

www.fcbarcelona.cat

FC Barcelona defeated Getafe on Saturday evening in a game that saw Ronaldinho score the winning goal early on and then be sent off before half-time. The Blaugrana players were delighted with their display.

Frank Rijkaard's side garnered all three points despite playing for over 50 minutes with a player less and after having to keep rising to the challenge despite the consistent fouling of the opposition. While Getafe played on the edge of the rules, Barça out in a dominant display that saw them unlucky not to have scored more than they single goal that eventually was enough to secure all three points.

Below are what some of the Blaugrana stars had to say after the game:

Deco

"I think that Getafe gave it everything they had, they worked very hard. The sending off made things difficult for us and were not able to score a second to give us a cushion."

"Their president is a Real Madrid fan, and maybe some of their players, and because of that it is obvious that they wanted to beat us."

"It is never too late to come back. The league is wide open. The game against Espanyol will be tough as they will be highly motivated and we have to be prepared. Besides, we will have to wait and see if Madrid stumble against Real Zaragoza."

Belletti

"To win with ten players is never easy, but today we did that because there was no other way."

"After the Copa del Rey game we had to win today. To enable us to keep fighting for the title winning was an obligation."

"Everyone can weigh up whether they thought Ronaldinho deserved a red card from the action replays, but it is a shame that he will not be with us for the game against Espanyol. Now we have to put our faith in the player that comes in to his place."

Messi

"Before the game the referee said that we should all stay calm and that he would blow for any fouls that he saw. It is good that you can talk to the referees."

"It was a hard game today. We knew it would be and proved to be. But I have not felt that the Getafe players gave me any special treatment."