14 - Javier Mascherano

[Irish_Cules]

Mascherano is such an important part of this squad. Yes, he isn't a natural centre back and this shows when he makes his regular enough mistakes. However, apart from these mistakes he is usually excellent and he has such a winning mentality and is a real leader in the squad. If he moved to another club, he would prove himself again as one of the best DMs at the world but you have to respect his determination to sucdeed at he highest level with Barca, even if it means being played out of position. He is an example to all professionals.

 

[Barcaman]

He's still a liability but then you look at Pique who isn't playing a good season either.

 

[Kerrybai]

I would argue that he is the best tackler in our team, but still it makes sense to bring in another CB and with Song as a CDM backup for Busquets Masch will never play CDM for us again so he could be surplus to requirements.

I doubt he will get much time if we bring in a new CB.

 

[Corb]

He apologized for the mistake in twitter. Good boy.

 

[ZenI]

He's still a liability but then you look at Pique who isn't playing a good season either.

Yes, I'm sorry to say but he really is. BUT, today he had an awesome game - and I'm happy!

 

[Keikoku]

Mascherano: "I'm sad about the action where they hit the post. It was a big mistake of mine which could have changed history"

That tackle on Bendtner was changed history as well.

 

[FCBarca]

He had a couple of timely tackles but contributed 3 big mistakes that could've seen them crash out tonight...Far from a great performance, he was the weakest link out there tonight

 

[Darko]

true,still a great performance except of course the mistake,dem tackles

 

[ThwiX]

Anyone got a GIF of that beautiful double tackle?

 

[Barcaman]

He had a couple of timely tackles but contributed 3 big mistakes that could've seen them crash out tonight...Far from a great performance, he was the weakest link out there tonight

I counted 3 as well and thought I could be wrong when I read here that he only made 1. Well, I can't blame him for playing as a CB and I definitely can't complain about his determination.
Odd thing, he was let down by his passing, which is normally his forte.

 

[FCBarca]

Yeah, it was strange...After the first two passes he gave away with no pressure at all, I was stressed anytime he ventured forward with the ball

 

[hellsangel1]

People keep saying that it's all entirely due to the lack of pressing at Barca and that's why the CB's are exposed but this game really showed that even with such great pressing the CB's and the LB still looked all over the place. Masch lunges in every single time the ball comes near him, he's lucky that Pazzini was out injured otherwise we wouldn't have gone through.

 

[Deco 20]

Might not be our most reliable player but I would really miss him if he left

 

[darthvader7888]

IMO, despite the couple of fuckups, Masch's inclusion did make sense. He's faster than our other CB's (making him better against the counter), and his long-balls made us more dangerous on the counter. He didn't do much, but his inclusion in the lineup made sense.

 

[dostoevskij]

This double tackle in the first minutes of the game. Showed the teams mind for this game. he makes errors a a CB, yes surely, but he adds so much more...