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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Deco ready and willing for trophy tilt

Deco's diary

/noticias.info/ Our win against Celtic was a very important result for us. We came home having defeated a good team, with some of the best supporters in Europe behind it. We were already enjoying a good spell in 2008 – we'd won several games in a row, but the Champions League is different. I am glad to see spirits are high. The result in Glasgow gives us the confidence and calmness to keep working.

One of the good things about the first leg is that we came from behind twice. We had been having trouble in the Spanish League when we conceded first, but this time we managed to come back, which is a boost for our morale. Lots of people said Celtic were ultra defensive. I just think they were faithful to their style, at least in Europe. They will have to change it in Barcelona, though, otherwise they will be knocked out. They need to win by two goals, so they have nothing to lose and I guess they will be more aggressive.

We have to be alert. People are saying the tie is over, but that's not the case. We're favourites as we won away from home, but if we think it is all over we will be making a huge mistake. At this stage of the Champions League, we should take nothing for granted. By the way, it is so good to be back in this wonderful competition. Maybe you are more relaxed in the group stage, because you know you have time to fix things if you lose. The knockout stage is completely different – your campaign is constantly on the line. There is no room for mistakes, no margin for error. It is emotional and tense. I like it. It's nice to play under pressure and know you can't fail. It's a nice responsibility to have.

It's impossible to say if I'll lift my third Champions League title this year, but we are having a great run. We have to make that last for some two-and-a-half months more, the decisive months. Last year there were too many players injured or coming back from injuries. Now we have everybody fit, happy and playing well. I see a confident dressing room, ready and eager for titles. Leo Messi, for example, is playing unbelievable football and scoring more goals, which helps us a lot. The goal he scored against Celtic was brilliant. Maybe not the best I've ever seen, but it is a goal of pure talent. Instinctive quality. We have Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho back as well: That's huge for us.

We expect to keep doing well in the Champions League as well as in the Spanish League. I told you here in my last diary that la Liga wasn't over yet and we would fight for the title. Here we are; we've closed the gap. I have to admit I am surprised how quickly we came back into the title race. I was expecting it to happen further down the line. Now we're not dependent on Real Madrid's results anymore. It's all riding on our own efforts. It is going to be tight and emotional until the end. notas_de_prensa_archivo