Following Wednesday’s experience against Copenhagen, Sergio Busquets expressed himself happy to be playing alongside Mascherano and he’s convinced the Argentinean: “played really well and he’ll bring a lot to us”.
Busquets and Mascherano were at the centre of the tactical changes that
Guardiola introduced on Wednesday and the Spanish player revealed: “yes, we used a slightly
different system, as we did against Arsenal at home last year. We have a few variations and the
truth is that we both felt good about it”.
11 consecutive Champions League games
Sergio Busquets played his eleventh consecutive Champions League game on Wednesday
- the only Barça player to do so and he commented: “we all want to play and that’s an
interesting stat, I continue to say that I’m really proud to have played for so many minutes
and help the team. The boss has faith in us and that’s something you always
appreciate”.
Chances are being made
Referring to the Copenhagen game, Busquets explained: “the other
team are also on the pitch and they took the ball off us for a quarter of an hour or so in the
second half. It’s nothing to get worked up about, the other team are playing as well and
that’s football. The chances that we are missing isn’t too worrying either – the
problem would be if we were not making chances, but we are making them and we’ll get to put
them away another day. We’d like to finish the game off earlier, so that we can enjoy them
more”.
Physical stress
Busquets also explained the physical state of the squad: “the truth is that
we have had a lot of games and minutes. The Spanish players have had the Confederations Cup and the
World Cup over the last two summers, but we can’t use that as an excuse. There were a lot of
players involved in the World Cup and the Spanish fixture list is the same for everybody.
It’s a long season, both at club and international level and your body notices that”.
Villa and Xavi
Summer signing David Villa is not a worry for Busquets, who explained:
“Villa hasn’t got a problem – of course he’d like score, but against
Copenhagen, for example, he hit the post and he had a goal disallowed. He’s got a lot of
confidence and we have plenty in him too”. As for Xavi, his midfield partner also explained:
“it’s a painful and bad situation, but I can see that he is working hard to get fit and
avoid the problem coming back. Let’s hope he gets back to full fitness because he’s
fundamental for us and for Spain”.
Photos: Miguel Ruiz-FCB.
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Contract renewal
Asked as to his possible contract negotiations, Busquets insisted: “it’s both my and
the club’s intention to push forward with this matter, but there’s no news just yet,
nor any meetings planned. I’m not worried about that, both myself and the club are fine with
it”.