Javier Mascherano: 'We had to be patient'

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has claimed that "patience" was one of the main reasons why his side were able to beat BATE Borisov in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Catalan outfit could not make the breakthrough in the first half of the Group E clash, despite dominating possession and creating a host of opportunities.

Ivan Rakitic scored the first of his two goals early in the second period, however, and Mascherano is hopeful that the victory will act as a springboard for the months ahead.

"We worked a lot in the game. We had many chances. The first goal cost a lot. Patience characterises us. So we won," AS quotes Mascherano as saying.

"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."

Barcelona have now collected seven points from their three Group E matches.