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Barcelona's Javier Mascherano: Valencia Copa del Rey tie is in our hands
The Argentine midfielder was quite satisfied with the Blaugranas' performance, and feels they have everything in their own hands, despite drawing the game at Mestalla
2 Feb 2012 08:33:00
By Stefan Coerts
Javier Mascherano - Barcelona
Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano feels that Wednesday's 1-1 away draw against Valencia in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final was a good result going into the second leg of the tie.
Jonas gifted Valencia the lead in the 27th minute before Carles Puyol restored parity shortly after. Lionel Messi then missed a spot kick after the break, but Mascherano still feels that Barcelona have everything in their own hands.
"It’s a good result but it could have been better seeing how the game played out. We played against a great rival and we had good chances. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in," Mascherano was quoted as saying on the Barcelona website.
"The important thing is that we played a good match and we created scoring chances. The tie is in our hands and that’s the most important thing. It depends exclusively on us."
Mascherano then discussed the Catalans' relatively disappointing run of form, and stressed that they will have to keep on working hard in order to get back to their best.
"I don’t like to talk about good luck or bad luck. A lot of teams go through these phases. We have to keep working and give the best of ourselves. That's the best way to change things."
Barcelona's next match is the league game at home versus Real Sociedad at the weekend.
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Jonas gifted Valencia the lead in the 27th minute before Carles Puyol restored parity shortly after. Lionel Messi then missed a spot kick after the break, but Mascherano still feels that Barcelona have everything in their own hands.
"It’s a good result but it could have been better seeing how the game played out. We played against a great rival and we had good chances. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in," Mascherano was quoted as saying on the Barcelona website.
"The important thing is that we played a good match and we created scoring chances. The tie is in our hands and that’s the most important thing. It depends exclusively on us."
Mascherano then discussed the Catalans' relatively disappointing run of form, and stressed that they will have to keep on working hard in order to get back to their best.
"I don’t like to talk about good luck or bad luck. A lot of teams go through these phases. We have to keep working and give the best of ourselves. That's the best way to change things."
Barcelona's next match is the league game at home versus Real Sociedad at the weekend.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
21:34 BST
Into the final few minutes with Portugal still 2-1 down to Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo missed his second ever penalty for Portugal earlier on.
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Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal are currently losing at home to Turkey. Not looking good for them at the Euros!
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As promised, here is the match report on Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland.
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And here's more from Roy Hodgson on the injury concerns in the England squad.
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And so the awful Europop music blares out in Amsterdam after Northern Ireland's worst defeat in a very long time. Netherlands are looking dangerous ahead of Euro 2012, but they won't face many teams as bad as today.
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