Brains the key to our revenge mission: Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho claims brain-power was the key to Barcelona’s victory over Chelsea.

Barca’s brilliant Brazilian scored the crucial goal at the Nou Camp, to clinch a 3-2 aggregate win and dump Jose Mourinho’s team out of the Champions League.

It was sweet revenge for the Spanish champions after they lost to the Blues last year and Ronaldinho insists his team have learned important lessons in the last 12 months.

Ronaldinho said: “This time we played with our brains and that was essential in order to win the game. That was the big difference compared to last year.

“Every year you learn more. Last year we ran, we fought, we were physically destroyed by the end of the game and we were out of the competition.

“For us it was clear that we couldn’t do the same this year. We concentrated more, knowing that we had to be patient and keep the ball. It all went well and we have to continue playing like this.

“There were also very good teams in past seasons who didn’t win it. This year we have a great team, but it’s a hard competition. I see inside the group very high motivation and it’s possible to win it this year.”

Ronaldinho, FIFA’s World Player of the Year, dazzled in the Nou Camp.

His tricks were mesmerising but his goal, which broke the deadlock and virtually killed the tie, proved once again that he has a cutting edge to match his flair.

He is adored by the Barcelona fans, who believe he epitomises their flamboyant brand of football.

Ronaldinho, 25, told www.uefa.com: “It’s a great joy to be part of this team. This gives me motivation to continue working to stay at the highest level.

“Every team plays differently. With the players we have, we can only play this way. This way of playing suits me really well and we do our best to continue winning titles.

“Fans, of course, appreciate it. We also do and besides that it is proving effective.”

Top scorer Samuel Eto’o and skipper Carles Puyol got special praise from the Samba star.

Ronaldinho said: “Eto’o has everything. His speed is fantastic. He is everywhere and he scores easily. His runs are also excellent.

“Puyol is a quality player. He is very powerful. He is the leader of our team. He gives us his strength and is always helping his team-mates. He’s got the fighting spirit, which motivates us all.”

And he insists manager Frank Rijkaard has ensured the team’s success by blending the attacking instincts of himself, Eto’o, Deco and Lionel Messi with defensive discipline.

Ronaldinho said: “He is responsible for everything. He gives us freedom to play the way we like, but also gives rules about how to defend, since it is very complicated to defend in a team with so many attacking players.

“Having a great team helps you a lot in making you look good. Fighting for titles and having a strong team also makes you give everything you have.”

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been criticised for being a sore loser and blaming defeat on a controversial red card for Asier del Horno in the first leg of the tie, which the Blues lost 2-1.

Barca’s former Arsenal full-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst claims Chelsea must learn their own lessons if they are to win the Champions League in the future.

Van Bronckhorst said: “Chelsea still have lessons to learn in European football.

“The European Cup is a tough competition with tough teams. If you have a 2-1 advantage going into the home leg with the support we get from the crowd, it is always going to help.

“But sometimes in games you have to play with 10 men. That is football. People get red cards and we don’t mind if we play against 11, 10 or nine men. It does not matter.”