Deco's diary
I am very glad we managed to win the first leg against Schalke 04 in Germany. The tie is obviously not decided yet, but we do have an advantage. We will be playing in front of our home crowd. It was logical that Schalke should put pressure on us during the second half last week, because they needed the goal. And I think they will do the same at Camp Nou as they have nothing to lose. We will try to play the same way, marking well and playing our football. It is important, as always, to impose our style and tempo. I hope I will be ready for this game, but we don't want to take any risks. We have to be sensible about injuries and not rush anything.
It is important, however, we have everybody fit and ready for the crucial final stage of the season. We have more chance of winning trophies if all our players are fit. Leo Messi, for example, is only a few weeks away from coming back. That would be massive for us. It is a shame Ronaldinho won't be able to help us. I don't have much to say about this subject. He was recovering well, regaining his form and now we know he's got bigger physical problems. We will miss him – it is important to have players alongside you who can decide the game in a moment. I wish him the best of luck.
One good thing is that Bojan Krkić is gaining confidence and experience and will be able to help Barcelona. He is young, talented, easy-going and very humble. Things are happening too quickly for him, but I think he is coping well. I was very young when I got into the Corinthians first team. Things are completely different in Brazil, though. Bojan has been prepared for this moment all his life. And he hasn't been brought into the first team to solve a problem. In Brazil, youngsters are given too much responsibility straight away – they are thrown into the fire. In my case, Corinthians were going through a crisis and the pressure was much higher.
Finally I'd like to mention Cristiano Ronaldo. I have heard some people criticising him for his tricks in the first leg against Roma. I totally disagree with them. This is the way Cristiano plays. He doesn't do it to offend or humiliate anyone. For me, it is completely part of the game. These are the things that make football beautiful, rather than ugly tackles. People have fun watching quality and variety. This is what Cristiano is all about.
Deco was speaking to Julio Gomes Filho
Deco's diary
I am very glad we managed to win the first leg against Schalke 04 in Germany. The tie is obviously not decided yet, but we do have an advantage. We will be playing in front of our home crowd. It was logical that Schalke should put pressure on us during the second half last week, because they needed the goal. And I think they will do the same at Camp Nou as they have nothing to lose. We will try to play the same way, marking well and playing our football. It is important, as always, to impose our style and tempo. I hope I will be ready for this game, but we don't want to take any risks. We have to be sensible about injuries and not rush anything.
It is important, however, we have everybody fit and ready for the crucial final stage of the season. We have more chance of winning trophies if all our players are fit. Leo Messi, for example, is only a few weeks away from coming back. That would be massive for us. It is a shame Ronaldinho won't be able to help us. I don't have much to say about this subject. He was recovering well, regaining his form and now we know he's got bigger physical problems. We will miss him – it is important to have players alongside you who can decide the game in a moment. I wish him the best of luck.
One good thing is that Bojan Krkić is gaining confidence and experience and will be able to help Barcelona. He is young, talented, easy-going and very humble. Things are happening too quickly for him, but I think he is coping well. I was very young when I got into the Corinthians first team. Things are completely different in Brazil, though. Bojan has been prepared for this moment all his life. And he hasn't been brought into the first team to solve a problem. In Brazil, youngsters are given too much responsibility straight away – they are thrown into the fire. In my case, Corinthians were going through a crisis and the pressure was much higher.
Finally I'd like to mention Cristiano Ronaldo. I have heard some people criticising him for his tricks in the first leg against Roma. I totally disagree with them. This is the way Cristiano plays. He doesn't do it to offend or humiliate anyone. For me, it is completely part of the game. These are the things that make football beautiful, rather than ugly tackles. People have fun watching quality and variety. This is what Cristiano is all about.
Deco was speaking to Julio Gomes Filho
Source UEFA.
Tags: Barça Schalke 04
