Thomas Vermaelen thrilled as Barcelona beat Malaga

Thomas Vermaelen was delighted to score the winning goal as Barcelona crept past Malaga at Camp Nou on Saturday evening. 

The Belgian scored the only goal of the game — and the first against Malaga during Luis Enrique’s reign — to ensure Barça continued their 100 percent start to the season. 

“I’m happy to have played in the first two games of the season and to have scored my first goal, which served to win the three points,” Vermaelen explained in the mixed zone after the win. 

In respect to last season’s injury lay-off, he continued: “It was difficult for me, I couldn't demonstrate who I am. But now I feel adapted and I feel good in this team.” 

He admitted he was not sure how to celebrate the game’s only goal as he is “not used to scoring” and he felt Barcelona should have been awarded two penalties for a handball and then for a foul on Luis Suarez. 

“They looked like penalties to me, but I have to see them again on television,” he said. 

Vermaelen also had praise for Sergi Roberto, who filled in admirably for Dani Alves at right-back: “I was not surprised by Roberto, I see him in training. He has a lot of talent and he’s good technically.”