FCBARCELONA.CAT

21.11.2006 11:39

"We shouldn't hope for any favours from Chelsea"

If Barça don't manage to win at Levski, they will need to hope that Werder Bremen don't beat Chelsea, or they will have no chance of making the next round. But Deco does not feel there will be any need to expect any favours from the Premiership side.

This is the first of two finals that Barça must win to ensure passage into the second round of the Champions League. They are currently two points adrift of Werder Bremen, and the situation in that match will depend on the outcome on the two games being played on Wednesday night. But Deco is not one for studying the mathematics of qualification. "We shouldn't be hoping for any favours from Chelsea. They have their own game to deal with, and we all know how hard it is to win at Werder Bremen's ground. More important, we have to win, it is the first two finals we have ahead of us."

Pressure

If Barça don't make it into the next round, they will be relegated to the Uefa Cup, but Deco doesn't want things to get too dramatic. "There was always that possibility when the group began. It is not what we want, and that's not for lack of attitude or desire not to get knocked out. We have played a lot of games under pressure to win, in harder games in theory than this one, so that won't affect the way the team performs."

Dangers of Levski

The Bulgarian side is running away with their domestic championship but things aren't going so well in Europe. But Deco knows they will have home advantage "Levski have not got any points yet, but they have good things about them. They try to play good football, and that's important and they will want to put on a good image playing at home. I am sure they will want to play a great game and get some points in their last home tie in the Champions League."

Rijkaard and prestige

Barça have achieved amazing things under Frank Rijkaard, and the Portuguese star does not think it is right that his name is being associated to a move elsewhere. "The boss is doing a great job and it is only normal for teams to make offers. That happens to all good players and coaches. If there is any truth in the rumours, you'll have to ask Frank, but the people at Barça all want him to stay."