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Clasico star Malcom denies feeling pressure at Barcelona

Having marked a rare start with the equaliser against Real Madrid, Barcelona winger Malcom says he has "always been calm" since his arrival.

Published : Feb 07, 2019 10:56 IST

Despite his relative lack of involvement, Malcom insists he has felt at ease in Spain.
Despite his relative lack of involvement, Malcom insists he has felt at ease in Spain.
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Despite his relative lack of involvement, Malcom insists he has felt at ease in Spain.

Barcelona winger Malcom denied he has felt under pressure to impress this season following his star performance in Wednesday's Clasico against Real Madrid.

The Brazilian cancelled out Lucas Vazquez's sixth-minute opener to ensure the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg at Camp Nou finished 1-1.

READ | Busquets: Clasico draw a fair result between Europe's best two teams

Malcom has found regular football hard to come by since his €42 million move from Bordeaux last July, the 21-year-old making just one start in La Liga, although he has featured in all five of Barca's Copa matches this season.

With Lionel Messi fit enough only to come on as a substitute, Ousmane Dembele missing through injury and Philippe Coutinho struggling badly for form, Malcom's decisive showing came at an important time.

However, he insists he has always felt at ease in his time in Spain, despite his relative lack of involvement.

"I've always been calm, just like when I arrived," he said, as quoted by Sport. "I have friends who give me confidence, I have family, agents all fighting for me and also my team-mates. I have a lot of support.

"It was a goal that helped us get back into the tie. We will go to the [Santiago] Bernabeu with confidence."

ALSO READ | Valverde explains Messi Clasico role

Malcom admitted he was left fatigued by his efforts, after Carles Alena replaced him with 14 minutes remaining.

"I was a little tired," he said. "I have not played much recently, but I'm more confident. I will work hard to improve and play a little more."

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