Monday, 2nd December, 2013
Javier Mascherano has urged Barcelona to start manning up if they want to improve, after the Catalan side were handed their first league defeat of the season.
Barcelona were beaten 2-1 by Ajax in the Champions League early last week and things worsened when Athletic Bilbao stole a 1-0 win in La Liga yesterday.
Barcelona remain top of the league table, though only on goal difference, but Lionel Messi's absence through injury is seemingly apparent with statistics showing they had just one shot on target at the San Mames.
And Mascherano admitted after the game: "We must show our manhood and our personality. This team has it.
relatedNewsStory
"We know how things work in the club where we are and that it is we who have to lift ourselves.
"In the midst of such a negative climate around us, we have to show positive things. If we want to improve we must not let our heads drop.
"If there were doubts when we were winning, obviously now there are going to be more generated now that we are aware of how much there is to improve."
Barcelona will next take on FC Cartagena in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey fourth-round clash on 6th December.
Top tips from tipsters who know the game and betting match previews. Make sure you visit Inside Bet!
