Pique: “Mascherano is the best centre back at the moment”
At a press conference before the game against Viktoria Plzen, FC Barcelona Gerard Piqué said that he and his teammates would be playing to win in Prague because the team’s aim is to win the group. “The three points are super important because we have to aspire to top the group, which is important for possible match-ups in the next round,” he said. For that to happen, the club has to try and win the remainder of the three ties, which includes an away game against AC Milan. The centre-back’s season has been marred by injury and the 24-year-old defender said that he is physically and mentally prepared to “play the 90 minutes” if needed in the upcoming encounter against Plzen.
Pique was lucky with a relatively injury-free 2010-11 season. But he hasn’t been so lucky this season, having had two injury setbacks. As a result, the Spain international has not had enough playing time and has therefore been unable to find his rhythm. “It has been a tough start because I haven’t been able to help the team, I have been working at a different pace and that’s not good mentally,” said Pique. Luckily for Barça, Pique’s absence has hardly been felt thanks to Mascherano and Abidal, who have been been a rock in defence ensuring that Valdes keeps a clean sheet. “They are playing spectacularly at the moment,” said Pique. “The statistics say that and as the boss says, he’s the best centre back at the moment,” said Piqué with regards to his Argentine teammate.
On Tuesday night, apart from a victory, Barça’s Valdes and Messi will try to reach goals of their own. Valdes is 38 minutes away from beating Miguel Reina’s record for minutes without conceding a goal and if Messi nets one in Prague, he will enter the 200 club. “Messi only just made it to 100 goals and has got to 200 really quickly, which shows how he has taken on more responsibilities and is on another level,” he said. “As for the record for not conceding goals, that’s everybody’s achievement, although mainly Valdés’. He’s having an amazing time as a keeper and deserves much more recognition.”
Source: www.fcbarcelona.cat; Image credit: AP Photo/Petr David Josek
Not going to disagree. The stats say it all. Valdes hasn't conceded a goal in so many games. Mascherano is the best centre back in the world at this moment in time. An absolute beast,
best centre back in the world? he still is too weak in the air. Let's be honest, he's not even the best CB in Barcelona. In fact, he's third or fourth best.
it's not so much the actual physical truth from looking at statistics, form or performances (though they do play a large part) that matters with Pique agreeing that Masch is the best CB at the moment. It's showing your teammates encouragement, (especially to Masch since he's not a natural CB, but has stepped in seamlessly) showing your humility and showing that you respect each other.
Stop being such a hard ass. Show some encouragement to your friends when they need it. Because they need it.
I was just responding to the comment from Chris, it's not like Mascherano is reading totalbarca comments section. And I'm not talking about form but class (which, as they say, is permanent). Puyol, Pique and maybe even Abidal are better CB's than Masch. Of course this doesn't mean he's not a very good player.
Mascherano is the best tackler of the ball in world football, and is one of the most tactical aware players aswell, he posseses unbelievable mental and physical strength and can pick a pass aswell. What else can you ask for?
Decent aerial ability?
Which he has? He can jump just as high as Puyol. He's the same size as Puyol remember.
If you think that Masch is as good as Puyol in the air, you're deluded. Remind me when is the last time he scored a goal with his head?
crazy delusional chap who should just f*** off. Mascherano, though not the best in the air, means he is even better at other defensive technique unitl nobody can score even when they are around such a small guy. Maschete is superb incredible. It has been a long time since abidal's huge performance before his illness that we had seen such huge quality at the back.
u mad bro? ok ok Masch puts Vidic to shame when it comes to defending crosses. Also he's the best defender the world has seen since Beckenbauer. Is that what you all want to hear?
also laser eyes, right?
while we're talking nonsense.
Don't forget he can lift airplanes with his pinky.
Rule 1 of TotalBarca: any criticism of (in-fashion) Barca players will be met with the vaginal whinings of 10,000 fanboys around the world.
ACCEPTABLE: Mascherano stopped the BP oil spill by giving the pipeline his angry chihuahua face. Then he slide tackled it. Then he dropped to the ground and rolled 5 times when a speck of dust hit him. (+40)
UNACCEPTABLE: I have reasonable doubts as to whether he is the best CB in the world right now. (-200)
My thoughts: he's been great for us, and still annoys the hell out of me by how he acts on the field. Either be a thug or a flopping whiner. Either is within the range of normal, both is wack as hell.
Masch is one of the best transfers in our history and I remember a lot of people who were doubtfull about this transfer !
let's not blow this out of proportion… he has stepped up in the most important times; but let's not forget about the greats of the past…
Now I could say that Mascherano and Villa are the signings for the last season.
whats the national record in La Liga for clean sheets?
1275 minutes by abel resino for atletico madrid.
apparently once upon a time atleti didn't suck
rofl
loooooooooooool….
i guess now pique and puyol duo have a problem.. because mascherano is there … hope he continue this form… lucky argentina is stupid enough for not using him as CB…
no problem.. 343.. play a back 3 with puyi pique masch
then what will happen to abidal. he deserves to start just as much as those 3.
and Alves
Well, the good thing about this year's Barca is that they actually have too many world-class players to be able to put them all in 11 spots. One world-class player gets injured, another one just as good is there to take the spot.
Also means everybody's getting more rest.
Yeah it makes m laugh when people say we need another CB coz Abi and Masche are not real CBs… Well tell me how many CBs you know can fill this role as good as Abi or Masche?Not many huh?
I've been saying thing for a long time now, we have 4 reliable CBs in Puyol, Pique, Abidal and Mascherano… Good decision by the club to not buy any…
It's just awesome how Pique is saying that Masche is the best centre back. This is exactly why we love this team. The humility of the players cannot be beat. Not many players would say something like this, and that too about a make shift centre back.
OT –
It's amazing how a majority of the coaches, captains and journalists are so blatantly blind when it comes to picking players. Valdes deserves a spot in place of Casillas.
Oh well! Everyone is going to be torched by Messi anyways.
Visca Barça!!
Well said pique. Masch has been commanding the in your and el captian's absence and is doing exceptionally well, despite playing out of position.
let's not forget the level abidal reached last season… a different player and CB, but he can surely give masch a run for his money!
i think the time for saying mascherano is playing out of position is over. CB is his position and he is a beast at it.
I second that.
Yeah it makes m laugh when people say we need another CB coz Abi and Masche are not real CBs… Well tell me how many CBs you know can fill this role as good as Abi or Masche?Not many huh?
I've been saying thing for a long time now, we have 4 reliable CBs in Puyol, Pique, Abidal and Mascherano… Good decision by the club to not buy any…
Its hard to figure out what our best lineup is these days. I think it is crucial that we accomodate Cesc in a role close to the box with Messi like we saw before his injury. We then get another goal scorer and the cooperation between the two is fantastic. I think Messi has missed that. Iniesta is fantastic close to the box too. If we dont play 343 then Cesc should be in the forward line.
bara 7 : 0
messi
messi
messi
cesc
cesc
villa
villa
Sorry wrong reply :s
4-3-3 is superior to 3-4-3 (ideal back 3 for it Puyol-Pique-Abidal)
Why? Alves is good at defense and we play a damn high line as it is already.
Yep! Mascherano is the best…… he could scored a hat-trick today
http://youtu.be/RD6zvyBfa2o good video of barcelona training
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Why isnt Villa even on the bench? Is he injured?
Didn't read this until now. It said he has slight discomfort in his leg.