Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano says the Blaugrana are in good physical and mental shape as they enter the decisive phase of the season.
Luis Enrique’s men have already wrapped up the League title and are now setting their sights on the Copa del Rey and Champions League trophies, although the Argentine has issued a note of caution to expectant fans.
“We are at our peak and have been playing some good games, but nothing is guaranteed,” warned Mascherano in an interview with ESPN Radio Sur.
“Also, we have a good feeling about the final three weeks of the campaign because we are fresh both physically and mentally, while the coaching staff have managed things really well with regard to rotations.
“After [the final match against] Deportivo we’ll start to prepare for the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals.
“We are aware of the euphoria of the supporters but they are going to be two very difficult games. Athletic [Bilbao] are a Cup team that is used to playing in finals.”
Asked about the continuity of Enrique on the Barcelona bench, the 30-year-old refused to engage in speculation over the Coach’s future.
“Barca is a club that is always surrounded by rumours and a place where peace is never achieved. There are always different debates springing up.
“It’s been like this all season and we’ve learned how to focus on just the football. We are relaxed and grateful to the Coach for giving us the opportunity to be League champions,” said Mascherano, who then compared today’s Barcelona team with that of former boss Pep Guardiola.
“The performance of the players make them go beyond the ideas of the coaches. Guardiola’s Barca was looking more to control the game, but with a more positional attack.
“Today we’ve added a more direct game and have improved on the counter-attack. The three top players we have up front allows us to do that.
“In addition, we have improved defensively as we’ve only conceded 19 goals in 37 games,” he maintained.
