Barcelona vs Sevilla preview - Mascherano defends Messi

Posted Friday, November 21, 2014 by PA

Javier Mascherano has defended Lionel Messi following speculation about the Barcelona star's future and insisted he only said "what all players think".

The midfielder has backed his Argentina and club team-mate after comments from Messi this week were interpreted as a hint the four-time world player of the year winner could leave the Nou Camp in the near future.

Messi's agent and father Jorge played down his son's comments and, ahead of Saturday's visit of Sevilla, Mascherano has followed suit.

"Leo has always said that he wants to end his career at Barcelona," he told Marca. "The truth is that he didn't say anything odd. Messi said what all of us players think. You can't predict what you're going to be doing in six years' time in football. You don't know what the future holds. That's the truth.

"It's impossible to discredit one of the best players in history. In my view, that's impossible. I love this sport and a player like Leo is very difficult to discredit. He's always behaved like a professional."

Away from Messi, though, Mascherano admitted Barcelona must improve after their rocky patch.

The 30-year-old insists they are still in a good position but underlined the need to rediscover their form.

Boss Luis Enrique reportedly held a team meeting this week to stress the importance of beating Sevilla following two defeats and an unconvincing victory against Almeria.

They are still second in La Liga, two points behind Real Madrid, but Mascherano knows their performances have not been good enough.

"Barca are where they've always been," added the former Liverpool star. "It is a great club with an impact around the world. We're going through a rough patch after the two recent defeats. Beating Almeria gave us some peace before going off on international duty but we're well aware that we need to improve.

"The team has to find ways to try and outplay the opponents. It varies as a consequence of that search but it always has the same identity."

A 2-1 win over Almeria papered over the cracks following defeats to Madrid and Celta Vigo and Mascherano is wary of fifth placed Sevilla, who would go above Barca with victory.

He added to the club: "Now the most important thing is Sevilla. They are a good side, doing well and they know what they want to do with a coach who wants to play good football."

Andres Iniesta returned to training this week following a calf strain while Jeremy Mathieu is also available following his own calf problem. Thomas Vermaelen is edging closer to a return from a thigh injury but Martin Montoya has suffered from flu this week and is a doubt.

Sevilla's Piotr Trochowski will be sidelined for the visitors with a knee injury as they look to end Barca's five-match winning run against them.

And Barca loanee Gerard Deulofeu has played down his return to the Nou Camp as he prepares to face his parent club.

The forward spent last season at Everton but joined Sevilla on loan in the summer and has scored once in seven league games this term.

"We're going to do our job, they have some very good players, but it is what it is," he added to Marca. "Barca and Madrid make all the best signings, but if we're fully focused we can hurt them.

"It's just another game, we aren't making too big a deal of it. I know it's a different kind of game, but I'm relaxed and we're going to go out and play our game.

"Like I said at the start of the season, I don't want to talk too much about Barca because I'm at Sevilla, I don't need to talk about another club. I'm at Sevilla right now, I'm fully focused and learning here. We'll just have to see what happens next year."