Javier Mascherano still adapting to Barcelona's tactics
Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has said he is still adapting to the formation and tactics employed at Barcelona after joining the Spanish champions this summer.
Mascherano earned praise as a hard-working midfielder at Liverpool, a team he joined in 2007 and made 94 league appearances for.
The hard-working midfielder's work-rate and tackling was well-suited to the Premier League, but his new employers play a different form of football.
Barcelona are known to grind down their opposition by maintaining possession and dictating the tempo of every game, and Mascherano has been forced to modify his playing style to suit the demands of manager Pep Guardiola.
In particular, Guardiola's tactics requires all midfielder, including the ball-winning Mascherano, to be comfortable in possession and play their part in distributing the ball over the pitch.
Signs of improvement against Getafe
Against Getafe on Sunday, 7 November, Mascherano made his eighth league start of the season, explaining after wards that he is growing increasingly comfortable with the club's playing style.
"I am starting to understand better the philosophy of playing for Barcelona," the 26-year-old told Spanish sports daily
AS. "I was happy both with the team's and my own personal performance."
But the Argentine, who shares midfield duties with the quick feet of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta at the Camp Nou, also stressed that Barcelona's is a far cry from the high-paced, physical football he has played at his previous clubs.
"I should note that I was playing in a completely different style before moving to Barcelona, and this has been the case throughout my career."
The Argentine, who has 63 international appearances to his name, appears to be filling the boots of Yaya Toure, who is now at Manchester City, with increasing ease. His next chance to prove himself will be against Villareal on Saturday, 13 November.
Juan Carlos Garrido's team currently sit two points behind Barcelona in the league table, with the Catalans on 25 points ten games into the season.
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