21.10.2010 13:39

Sergio: “It’s a pleasure to play with Mascherano”

Jesús Carrillo

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”.