Javier Mascherano believes Barcelona’s patience was a virtue in beating BATE Borisov on Tuesday night.
Ivan Rakitic scored both goals, from Neymar assists, but the Catalans couldn’t break down the hosts in the first half, with Rakitic striking shortly after the re-start.
“We worked a lot in the game. We had many chances. The first goal cost a lot. Patience characterises us. So we won,” Mascherano said after the match, AS reports.
“There are times we have punch. We’re not at our best. We know that. The team can give much more. With work and correcting things, that will come.
“That’s the first step to reach the level we want. It’s not easy to always be the same level. We want to continue growing and not make so many mistakes.
“Neymar is a great player. Lionel Messi? He’s incomparable, there’s no replacement. Neymar and Luis Suarez are two of the best. There’s a small step forward in what they do.
“But others also have responsibility. Now is when we need to be together, waiting for people to recover.
“Barca penalties? I don’t pay a lot of attention to what people say. I respect their opinions but have little to say. We have too much work to do to be contradicting each other.”
