New Barcelona signing Alex Song has revealed that a pre-match chat with boss Tito Vilanova helped calm any nerves on his debut.
Song was selected for the game against Valencia at the Camp Nou the first time since his high-profile move from Arsenal, and the overall assessment of the Barca fans appeared to be that he had done well.
However, the Cameroon international, 24, confessed the chat with Vilanova relieved him of any anxiety before he stepped onto the pitch.
"Before the game the Coach spoke to me and told me what he wanted from me. That calmed me down and helped me gain in confidence,” admitted Song in declarations to Television Catalunya.
“I knew that here it is important to play with one or two touches but sometimes, oddly enough, it’s easier to do it when you are controlling the ball all the time and keeping possession,” said Song, who completed 61 of 67 passes against Valencia, won the ball back five times and only committed two fouls during the 90 minutes.
