Ivan Rakitic: If I can play, there's no better place to than Barcelona

Ivan Rakitic: If I can play, there's no better place to than Barcelona

Ivan Rakitic actuó de mediocentro ante el Atlético
Ivan Rakitic actuó de mediocentro ante el Atlético | sport

The Croatian has returned to the starting lineup in Barça's last two games

Ivan Rakitic played 90 minutes as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 on Sunday in just his third start of the season -- and his second in a week. 

Rakitic has been out of Ernesto Valverde's plans this year. He started against Granada in September but then had to wait until last week's victory over Borussia Dortmund to start his second game of the campaign. 

Four days after that success against the German side, he was back in the starting lineup for the win at the Wanda Metropolitano having said recently that he was "sad" to have had the ball taken away from him. 

"I said that they'd taken the ball away from me to show how much I like football, but if I can play (games), there's no better place to be than Barça," he said after the Atletico win. 

He continued: "I think I still have a lot more to give. I want to show the coach, my teammates and the staff that they can count on me." 

Rakitic added that he doesn't "understand" his situation: "Sometimes you don't understand, but you have to accept it or try to change the situation. I think I have shown that I have a lot to offer." 

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