Abstimmungen » TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing

BARCELONA, Spain -- Javier Mascheranos weight in the Barcelona team is measured by much more than his goals -- or lack of.The clubs fans are more than happy to overlook the fact he has never scored in nearly 300 appearances, because few players are as important to the Spanish champion.Having already proved his flexibility over the years, the 32-year-old Mascherano is now learning another position.Mascherano is defying his age and increasing his worth in a team whose intricate passing style is incredibly demanding on players.The Argentina international has become coach Luis Enriques fix-it man.Already able to play either in midfield or as a central defender, Mascherano has now passed the test as Barcelonas right back.He has filled in expertly for the injured Sergi Roberto, both as the right-sided defender in a back line of three, or in the four-man defense Luis Enrique used to thwart Manchester City on Wednesday in the Champions League.Enrique said on Friday that Mascherano may play on the flank for Saturdays visit to Valencia in the Spanish league.The option of Mascherano is open, said Enrique, who rarely reveals his lineups before the match. He played a good match against City and he is one of the possibilities that I have for this and other matches.Wherever he plays at Valencias Mestalla Stadium, Mascherano will be tasked to hold down a back line that will be without the injured Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba.Against City, he nullified winger Manuel Nolito Agudo and also set up Barcelonas opening goal.Stealing possession in Citys half he sprang a quick attack that resulted in Lionel Messis first of three goals in a humbling 4-0 loss for former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.Mascheranos value is his versatility and willingness to sacrifice in a team full of incredibly talented individuals -- such as like Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.It was Guardiola who gave Mascherano the first opportunity to reinvent himself at Barcelona when he was struggling to find a starting role.Having arrived from Liverpool in 2010, he found Sergio Busquets well entrenched in his own position of holding midfielder.It was a simple choice: adapt or fail. So when a spate of injuries left Barcelona without a central defender, he seized his chance.Mascherano compensates for a height disadvantage with intelligent play, such as when he anchored the side that beat Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League final.I never thought I would be here this long, he said. I know what I can do, but I also know the demands that Barca places on you. In any other team I would have liked to play in midfield, but changing positions was worth it to keep playing here.Mascherano plays in midfield for Argentina and is a key player for the side that reached the final of the 2014 World Cup, losing to Germany.His latest positional change for Barcelona goes against a customary trend.The usual evolution of aging defenders is changing from a wide position to slot inside, compensating for dwindling speed.Barcas coach saw the potential for Mascherano to do this when Roberto injured a leg muscle earlier this month. He looked past Robertos natural replacement, Aleix Vidal, and asked Mascherano to take on the role.Luis Enrique liked the result, so even with Roberto cleared to play against City, he left Mascherano in his place.Mascheranos industry more than makes up for the fact he has not scored in 290 appearances -- a Barcelona club record for an outfield player.I am not obsessed over it, he said. A goal wouldnt change my life.Mascheranos contributions, which have helped win 17 titles, are fully appreciated and he signed a new contract on Monday until 2019.My time here at Barcelona has been magical, he said. Year after year the team has kept its hunger. Rod Woodson Jersey .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Zach Gentry Jersey . 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LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. MIAMI -- The San Francisco Giants say manager Bruce Bochy has been admitted to a Miami hospital after falling ill and will miss Monday nights game against the Marlins.The Giants did not specify what sent the 61-year-old Bochy to the hospital Monday morning. They said in a statement that he is resting comfortably and will be monitored overnight.The Giants say they expect him to return Tuesday. Bochy led the team tto World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014.ddddddddddddBench coach Ron Wotus will serve as manager in the opener of the three-game series in Miami.Bochy underwent a heart procedure in February 2015 to insert two stents.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '