The Argentine midfielder is not willing to take any risks when Barcelona play hosts to their Champions League opponents.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 visited the BayArena on Tuesday to play the initial leg of their two-legged Champions League knockout stage fixture against Bayer Leverkusen.
Even though the Spanish Champions clearly emerged as the better side from the clash, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Mascherano-c18071 has insisted that Barcelona cannot afford to be too confident going into the second leg.
Pep Guardiola’s men were able to win 1-3 while being away from home.
Barcelona dominated lion's share of the possession. Germans, on the other hand, were trying to be persistent in maintaining their defence; hence, giving the Catalan Giants an opportunity to advance.
Robin Dutt’s men were quite successful in keeping out La Blaugrana in the initial stages of the match; however, the Spanish outfit managed to breach Leverkusen’s defensive walls before the half time break. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979 scored Barcelona’s first goal after
receiving an inch-perfect pass from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296.
Even though the host team managed to equalize the score in the second half, they were no match for the threat posed by the current UEFA Champions League title holders.
Alexis Sanchez struck again after Fabregas provided him with a wondrous assist in the 55th minute. Barca’s third goal came with the help of Lionel Messi, who scored from a volley, with two minutes remaining.
The Camp Nou-based outfit seem to have cemented their place in the European tournament’s quarter finals, but Mascherano has argued that they should be prepared for anything.
The Argentine believes that the two goal cushion that the Catalans have attained may not be enough to see them through.
While talking to reporters, the midfielder was quoted as saying:
"It's a very good result but we have to play the return match against a rival German team that never gives up. If we progress to the quarters, then we'll see what team we play. But the most dangerous opponent for us now is still Bayer Leverkusen. I just
prefer to play, although lately I've played more defence."
The second leg will take place at the Nou Camp on March 7th and Barcelona are favourites to qualify for the next round.
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