Deco looks ahead to Chelsea battle
Barcelona have matured since their last meeting against Chelsea and will play a more cautious game at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, according to midfielder Deco.
Deco and Barca were knocked out of 2004-05 competition in the last 16 by Chelsea, with the Barclays Premiership leaders edging a thrilling tie 5-4 on aggregate.
The 28-year-old believes the Spanish giants have developed as a team since, and they also currently lead their domestic league.
“I think we are in very good form and are much more mature than last season,” Deco said on www.fcbarcelona.com.
“At Stamford Bridge last year we tried to play too much football going forward and that favoured Chelsea on the counter-attack.
“Perhaps we left ourselves open for them to play as they wanted.”
Deco believes Barcelona can benefit from the absence of suspended Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien.
Deco said: “Chelsea have not changed much. They are leaders of the Premier League, like last year, and they are playing well.
“As regards the players, little has changed and only Michael Essien is unavailable.
“He is an important player for them. He is strong and hard and in the tie they will need these things.
“We have also remained largely the same from last year, but if we can all stay fit we will be stronger than last year.”
The Brazilian-born player also admitted he can see the personality of Mourinho in this Chelsea team.
He added: “Their mentality is that of the trainer. Mourinho has given Chelsea’s players victories, titles – things that they had never had before.”
“Each team represents the trainer to an extent and Chelsea has taken on the mentality of Mourinho – a winning mentality, hard-working and ready to fight for everything.”
