Portugal: Deco resigned to warming bench
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-03 11:25

Deco Souza led Porto to victory with a man-of-the-match performance in the final of the Champions League but he is resigned to starting Euro 2004 on the bench.

Brazilian-born playmaker Deco Souza, who helped FC Porto win the Champions League, told reporters he was resigned to starting Euro 2004 on the bench. [AFP]

Luiz Felipe Scolari has played Rui Costa as his playmaking central midfielder in most of Portugal's recent friendlies and Deco does not expect the coach to have a change of heart before the hosts get the tournament underway against Greece on June 12.

'I don't know what's in the coach's mind but from what we've seen the first choice will be Rui Costa,' Deco told reporters at Portugal's training camp.

'I don't think we're incompatible but we'll have to see. Whenever I've played alongside him I've felt good.'

The Brazilian-born Deco was called up to the Portugal squad by Scolari, the former Brazil coach, in March 2003, just a week after being granted Portuguese citizenship.

Appropriately enough, that match was against Brazil and Deco crowned a spectacular debut by scoring the winner.

This season he has been in excellent form for Porto and scored the second goal in their 3-0 victory over Monaco in the Champions League final.

'I don't regret choosing to play for Portugal,' Deco said. 'I've always been well treated and it's a pleasure to play here.

'I was born in Brazil and it would be a lie to say that I'm just Portuguese now and not Brazilian but I love Portugal and I love playing for the national team.'

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