FCBARCELONA.CAT

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%”.