19 June 2007, by Sean Gillen

Deco: “Barcelona failed at crucial moments”

Portugal midfielder hints at possibility of changing clubs

Barcelona midfielder Deco admits that his team failed at the crucial moments this season, after losing out on the Spanish title to arch rivals Real Madrid.

The Catalans led the La Liga table for much of the season, but last-minute goals conceded against Betis and Espanyol at the Nou Camp in the closing weeks of the campaign cost them dear as Madrid sealed the title on the head-to-head ruling.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries, there’s been too much talk, and we failed at some decisive moments, something that didn’t happen before,” Deco said on Monday, the day after the title deciders.

“We have to take stock, take correct decisions and try to do things better next season and learn from our mistakes. We have the best attack and the best defence but we weren’t as strong as in previous seasons when we needed to be.”

Meanwhile, doubts over the 29-year-old’s future with the club remain, and the Brazilian-born playmaker has done little to play down talk that he will be undertaking a new challenge with a different side next season.

“I am a Barcelona player and have a good contract through to 2010. But I will decide my future. I will have the final word,” he said.

“This isn’t a threat. But it is obvious that many things need to change. I think we need to sign players for several positions. We need to build a team capable of again challenging for every trophy we compete for.”


Related: Late goals deny Deco and Barelona title