Deco wary of Barça star billing

As FC Barcelona look ahead to their UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal FC at the Stade de France on Wednesday, Portugal midfielder Deco is the only member of their star-studded squad to have won the competition, triumphing with FC Porto against AS Monaco FC two seasons ago.

Hot tips
However, while José Mourinho's Porto stunned the football establishment by reaching that showpiece, Barcelona have been hot tips from the start. Having claimed a first league title in six attempts in 2004/05, the Blaugrana have raised the bar this term, tightening their defence and continuing to score with aplomb to retain the Spanish championship. That form, combined with an unbeaten run to the UEFA Champions League final, has made them favourites to lift the greatest European prize.

Different circumstances
"This final is very different to my last one because we reached that final a little by surprise," Deco explained. "Now everyone says Barça are going as favourites, although I do not see it that way. We do not feel like favourites. After what everyone has said, if we do not win then the disappointment will be greater for the fans, but for the players it would be the same."

Arsenal euphoria
Camp Nou coach Frank Rijkaard has earned plaudits for his ability to shield his players from the media glare and ensure their minds remain focused on the job in hand. While Barça may be staying calm, it has been suggested that Arsenal's young side have struggled to keep their heads since they defeated Villarreal CF in the semi-finals.

Wise heads
Deco disagreed. "[Arsenal] will not feel a lot of pressure because they have a mix of young players and veterans who have already won many trophies," the 28-year-old said. "They have players like [Thierry] Henry, [Sol] Campbell, [Dennis] Bergkamp and [Robert] Pirès - players with maturity and the experience of playing in the [FIFA] World Cup. Barça also have a fairly young team, but neither side need feel nervous."

Team game
All the pre-match build-up has concentrated on the clubs' most prominent performers - Barça's Ronaldinho and Arsenal's Henry - but while Deco recognises these stars' contributions to their clubs' success this term, he is under no illusions about the strength of the teams as a whole. "Journalists always ask whether the teams depend only on one player, but Arsenal have come this far because of the strength of their whole squad and so have we," he stated.

Messi situation
With fierce competition for places in Rijkaard's starting lineup, Lionel Messi has been given just a two per cent chance of making the squad. The 18-year-old Argentinian tore a thigh muscle in the second leg of the first knockout round tie against Chelsea FC in March and is still not fully fit. Touted as one the world's best youngsters, Messi is fast becoming a favourite at Camp Nou among both supporters and players.

Deco despondent
Deco feels for his colleague and praised his efforts this season. "It would be very tough if Messi was to miss the final, not just for the team, but also for him because he would love to play in a game like this," he said. "He has helped us a lot and was the key to victory in the first game against Chelsea."