Part 2: Javier Mascherano speaks to the press
He also said that Guardiola told him that whenever he is on the pitch, he has to be in a constructive role as he is the one who is in a position where the ball comes the most. However, he said that it was more or less the same
but the only thing that changed for him was his position as now he has to move forward to help the attackers and also has to move back to help the defenders.
After the game against Hercules, Mascherano was the player who suffered the yellow card. He later said after the game that the card “conditioned” him. The press asked him whether it was difficult adapting the Spanish style of play.
He said that he wasn’t worried about all this but he really wanted to perform well for the team and getting a yellow card in the first twenty minutes was simply a disappointing start for him. He said that it did not really mean anything against the referees;
he just wanted to tell his fans that football was played differently in Spain.
On Saturday, Barcelona won the first Champions League match against the Greek Champions, Panathinaikos. Mascherano was asked how he felt being sidelined for most of the match. He said that he knew what Barcelona’s style of play
was as he watched a lot of matches. He said that on Saturday it was simply great to see his team win even though he did not really feature for most of the game. He said that the defeat on Tuesday, against Hercules was an accident and he was simply disappointed
to see it.
He was shown concern from the Barcelona fans as he was not performing the way he usually does. He told the press that he was not a part of the training much as he was pretty much fatigued after the Hercules match. He said that
playing Xavi Hernandez was a better option because he is a better player than him. He said that he was not struggling for a first team squad and Pep Guardiola has told him what he wants from him and he is totally satisfied.
He was then asked how the match against Panathinaikos was for him as it was the first time that he was going to play against a Greek team. Mascherano was not a part of the training so it was asked whether it was all good for him.
He said that everyone expected him to play well for the team and he really wanted to perform for his club but it was Xavi Hernandez who performed for the Spanish team. He further added to his comments by saying that the season in La Liga was going to be tough.
Mascherano said that the “few” new players in the team were trying to adapt to the new environment but finally Pep Guardiola has helped us come together and now they are going to play well to help the team win trophies.
Barcelona are now going to go to Atletico Madrid and Javier Mascherano was asked whether the game excited him. The last visit to Madrid for Barcelona was a terrible won as it was the only game that Barcelona lost last season. Mascherano
said that he was going to give it his best and he said that even though he might not feature in the first team, he is still going to try for the club as he is going to be substituted in the second half. He said that he and his team mates are confident about
the match even though they are going to face a tough competition against Atletico Madrid. He said that he really wants Barcelona to win the game against Atletico Madrid as they have already suffered 3 points against Hercules. He also said that Barcelona are
going to stick to their style of play as they will possess the ball and try to score goals.
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