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Deco: 'Barcelona decline expected'

Former Barcelona player Deco dismisses the notion that the club is in crisis.

Former Barcelona star Deco has insisted that the club's recent decline was to be expected.

The Catalan giants have failed to live up to fans' expectations this season, having bowed out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, as well as losing ground in the title race.

However, the ex-Portugal international believes that the best teams in the world often suffer short-term blips.

"It is difficult to say from the outside what is going wrong at Barca," he told Marca. "People talk a lot but, to me, what's happened is a normal and natural process.

"Barca have won a lot in recent years, they have been at a very high level - they were the best team in history for many people. And so it is normal what they are experiencing now."

Deco went on to say that Barcelona should work on rediscovering their top form gradually and dismissed the need for a radical overhaul at the club.

"The club should focus on rediscovering success slowly, keeping stars like Lionel Messi or Andres Iniesta who remain essential to the club," he added.

"There is no need to change the style because of two bad results, though. Barca already have a defined style and any reconstruction has to work within their existing form, as Louis van Gaal, Frank Rijkaard then Pep Guardiola did.

"Their style is to hog the ball and they're the best in the world at that."

Barcelona are currently four points behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid going into this weekend's round of fixtures.

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Manchester United's Paul Scholes shoots for goal against Barcelona on April 24, 2008.
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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