FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.04.2007 18:26

Deco ready for Zaragoza

Deco’s recovery from injury to a finger on his right hand is over. After his operation of March 19 he has been resting, but has now been given the all-clear to join the rest of the squad in preparation for Saturday’s important trip to Zaragoza.

Deco is back in action, and if Rijkaard considers it appropriate, he maybe back on the pitch as soon as this Saturday. If he does, he will wear protection on his finger to avoid any further risk of injury.

The first final

Speaking to the press, the Portuguese star has stressed just how important he considers the trip to Aragon to be. There are just ten games to go in the league, and as long as Barça don’t make any major mistakes, the title can be theirs. “We have always played well against Zaragoza. They are a great team” said Deco. “We have already won there, and not many people expected us to come from behind and qualify for the next round of the Cup, but Saturday’s game is going to a difficult one. Zaragoza have some top quality players up front and defender very well. They are a very complete team. There are thirty points left to play for and every game is like a final”.


A clean slate but things have been learned

The teams will be meeting for the fourth time this season, but how much will those previous meetings have a bearing on what happens at La Romareda on Saturday? Deco considers “the games will serve a useful reference for us, and we can draw conclusions, but this is will be another game. We have played with two systems and surprised them. We have plenty of respect for them”.

Madrid still in with a shout

Deco was asked whether he still considered Real Madrid to be a rival in the championship race. “We’re surprised but the truth is Madrid are only five points behind us. There may be people saying that they aren’t playing the best of football, but they have as a good a chance as some other teams. Madrid has history and good players and there is a chance they could win the league, and they’ll try. But we are the only team that has our destiny in our own hands”.

Outside looking in

Deco has won the Champions League twice in recent seasons, with Porto and Barça, but for what remains of this season, his only involvement will be watching at home on a TV set. Does he regret not being there with his team mates? “Being out and having to watch the other teams knowing we could be there is tough” he lamented. “But it’s good to feel like that. All the players have been watching the matches and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. It means we are more ambitious than ever to fight for the Champions League next season”.