Camp Nou thriller saddens Deco
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Article summary
The 2-2 draw with Chelsea FC may have been disappointing for FC Barcelona, but a downbeat Deco conceded that it was an "extremely good match."
Article body
The after-match atmosphere at the Camp Nou last night following Didier Drogba' smash and grab late equaliser for Chelsea FC was sombre but determined.
On course
Having opened the scoring through Deco and taken the lead again through Eidur Gudjohnsen after Frank Lampard's equaliser, FC Barcelona looked on course for a precious Group A victory until Drogba struck at the death to give a final twist to a thrilling encounter. A born showman, Deco could not avoid the conclusion that the sell-out Camp Nou crowd had witnessed a memorable encounter. "This was an extremely good match for the crowd and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the majority have gone home happy with what they saw," he told uefa.com. "However, it's my view that Chelsea and Barça view football in totally different ways and I prefer our style.
'Bitter taste'
"The shame is that we dropped two points which were crucial to us so late in the match," he added. "I think we had played particularly well and probably we were the better of the two sides. So, for me, this draw has left the same bitter taste in the mouth as defeat does. We played good football but, essentially, failed in our objective. It's difficult to accept." The European champions are now in a tricky position in Group A. With Chelsea all but through, Frank Rijkaard's side can ill afford to drop any points in their remaining two games if they are to avoid being knocked out of the competition before the knockout phase.
Simple equation
"Now we simply have to win our next two matches and hope against hope that Werder Bremen do not beat Chelsea on Matchday 5," said Deco. "I am worried that Chelsea may relax a little which is something we cannot do. In fact our task is simple to describe. We have to go to Sofia and win against Levksi and then beat Bremen here at the Camp Nou. It is that straightforward in my mind." Before heading off to contemplate his team's precarious status, Deco spared a thought for the loyal Camp Nou fans. "The support was magnificent tonight - they were there for us when we needed them and they inspired us," he said. "We will try to repay them with two wins in our next two matches."
