Barcelona had to attack to avoid risks

The Argentina international feels his side were right to employ an offensive approach and is hopeful that they can now go all the way in Europe

Javier Mascherano feels Barcelona had no other option but to attack in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain in order to avoid risks.

The Catalans had recorded a 3-1 win at the Parc des Princes last week and two goals from Neymar helped them to a 2-0 victory at Camp Nou to book their ticket for the semi-finals.

However, Mascherano believes things could have gone differently had Barcelona not started the return with attacking intentions.

"I think the mind-set with which we faced the game was correct. If they scored first, they'd have gotten back in it. To avoid that, we had to attack, and that was how we avoided the risks," the Argentine defender told the official Barcelona website.

"Our plan was always to play for the win right from the first minute, even though the result was already in our favour. It was the only way."

Mascherano then went on to stress that it's vital for Barcelona to have made the last four of the Champions League for the eighth time in a row.

"It's important for the club to be in the semi-finals," the former Liverpool man added. "It may sound easy, but it isn't.

"We're two games away from another Champions League final and hopefully we can make it past the next round, too."