Gazzaniga's Stateside goal

Paulo Gazzaniga is staying level-headed as he racks up the minutes in pre-season.

The Argentine goalkeeper came off the bench in our ICC opener against AS Roma on our USA Tour and started as we drew 2-2 against Barcelona in the Rose Bowl in LA on Saturday, a match we eventually lost 5-3 on penalties.

Paulo, 26, was so impressive in his only first team start in a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season and is quietly going about his job as he prepares for the new season with the rest of the squad in the States.

“I try to take my chances and try to show what I can do,” he said. “I just do my job, be myself, stay focused and stay patient because you never know when your chance will come.”

Paulo could do little about the goals on Saturday as Barca forged into a 2-0 lead, but subsequently produced a fine save to keep it that way as we clawed our way back into the game in the second half.

A quick one-two from Heung-Min Son and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou drew us level at 2-2 and that’s how it stayed with the La Liga champions taking the win 5-3 in a penalty shootout.

Paulo had been replaced by Michel Vorm by then and was pleased with his night’s work – although not the result.

He added: “We didn’t start very well, we missed a bit of aggression in the first half but after their two goals we kept trying to play and showed good character to come back. I’m unhappy though because we lost.

“It’s good to have some minutes, I’m happy about that.”