Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has revealed his delight following Tuesday's 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League.

Goals from Lionel Messi and Dani Alves secured the Spanish champions a two-goal advantage in a pulsating first leg at the Etihad.

"The team stepped up, we played a great game," he told the club's official website.

"The result is really good for us and we know that the second leg will be difficult. City are a team that always create goalscoring chances.

"We have to continue to play like this. You can never relax when you're a Barca player. The decisive moments of the season are here and we are going to continue to fight for it all."

The second leg will take place at the Camp Nou in three weeks' time.