Mascherano not giving up on title dreams

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano said the reigning champions will not give up their La Liga crown lightly.

Pep Guardiola’s men sit five points behind league leaders Real Madrid, but Argentinean Mascherano said he is confident his side can make up that difference come the end of the season.

“If January is the month where you throw away the league, especially at a club like this with a squad like this one then no, this team cannot afford to do things like throwing away league challenges for a difference of five points,” the former Liverpool man said.

“I mean five points is a difference which obviously we don’t like to see, but at the same time there are still some 63 points to play for. Anything can happen in that time as there are still lots of points to play for.”

“You also have to value the rivals ahead of you. We have to respect them like they do us and it’s the same with Madrid and their rivals. Their opponents are capable of robbing points from them just like ours are from us.”

Mascherano added that Barca do not hold the edge when it comes to El Clasico’s against Jose Mourinho’s side, despite the Catalans dominating recent history between the two teams – including a 3-1 win in domestic action this season.

“No, no (we don’t take wins over Real Madrid for granted) because on the other side we have a Real Madrid with great players and with a lot of experience. They will never let us win anything easily,” he said.

“There have of course been those moments in the ultimate matches where we have managed to beat them. But one day we will lose to them as well, because facing us is a great team in Real Madrid that has fantastic players.”

“So no it never passes through our heads that we take wins for granted, in fact, (we do) quite the opposite. I think they have an extra motivation to go out win, play well and get a good result against us to demonstrate that they too are a great team.”

Barca drew 1-1 with Espanyol last time out – one of five draws this season – but the European champions can atone for the dropped points when they host Real Betis at Camp Nou on Sunday.