Taking chances crucial for Tello

Cristian Tello says he hopes that his goal against Valladolid for Barcelona shows he is returning the faith the club have shown in him.

Tello scored the third and decisive goal in the Catalans’ 3-1 win on Saturday after coming on as a substitute in stoppage time and has recently signed a new contract to keep him with the club until 2016.

The 21-year-old forward was extremely pleased with his contribution as well as his future prospects, telling Mundo Deportivo: “I am very happy about the goal and the result.

“It rarely happens that you enter the game and score straight away. The goal returns the confidence the club has shown in me.

“I’m playing in the best team in the world and with the best strikers.

“You have to keep working and take advantage of opportunities.”

The former Espanyol youth player also dedicated the result to Barca coach Tito Vilanova, who is recovering from cancer surgery.

“It’s been a very difficult week for us,” Tello said.

“But we’re happy about the news we have heard in the last hours and from here we send all our strength.”

Tello has scored twice in eight appearances in the league this year, with Barcelona leading La Liga on 49 points from 17 games.