Javier Mascherano was Barça’s last summer signing and he reckons that he is adapting quickly, both on and off the pitch, claiming: “I’ve been improving with each game and I’ll continue to do so”.
The Argentinean reckons that he is “getting to know the team and the way we play much better.
I came in when the league had already begun and it was a big change, but my team mates and the
manager really made me feel at home. I’m trying to learn every day, especially the new
tactical concepts”.
Big change
For
the midfielder it’s been a big change in style: at Liverpool he was much a destroyer in
midfield, “but here the league is different and the way the team play is too. It’s not
the same to change from an English team to any other Spanish team, as changing to Barça who have a
completely different style”.
Valencia
Mascherano, who came on towards the end of the Valencia game, reckons that Saturday’s
match was very different from the slip ups against Hercules and Mallorca: “they were three
different games. Against Valencia in the first half they pressured us really well and we
couldn’t play, but in the second they couldn’t keep up the workload”.
Less Xavi means more Mascherano?
With
Xavi still suffering and having missed a couple of weeks already this season, he’s probably
going to be have to protected for much of the campaign and that could mean more games for
Mascherano. “Xavi is a very important player for this team, he is key to how we function. I
don’t want to play because a team mate is injured; I just want to be able to contribute
whenever the boss asks me to. We have players who can come in if Xavi is out – it’s
just that we all bring something different ”.
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Liverpool and Torres
Mascherano was also quizzed about his ex-team Liverpool, who are currently struggling at the foot
of the Premier League: “it’s really a bit like what was happening last year. Things
were getting worse and they now find themselves in a very tough spot, but I’m sure with the
players they have and the importance of the club, that they will come out of this situation.
Let’s hope the new owners turn things around”.
As to ex-teammate Fernando Torres, who is constantly being connected with a variety of clubs,
Mascherano reckons: “I can’t see him leaving. Knowing the way he thinks, I’m sure
he’ll be determined to stay and help the team. He is a very valuable player for
Liverpool”.