Alex Song thanked coach Tito Vilanova and his Barcelona team-mates after making his league debut in the club's 1-0 Camp Nou win over Valencia on Sunday.

GettyImagesAlex Song: Bureaucratic delay

Song, 24, who joined Barcelona from Arsenal in a €19 million deal this summer, told Catalan television he had thoroughly enjoyed his first full 90 minutes for his new club.

"Before the game, the coach spoke with me and told me what he wanted from me," he said. "That calmed me and gave me confidence. Also my teammates spoke a lot with me before and during the game - and that helps a lot."

The Cameroon international had come on as a late substitute in Barcelona's Supercopa second leg loss to Real Madrid on Thursday before being named in the first XI for Sunday's game.

Against Valencia, Song completed 61 of the 67 passes he attempted, made five recoveries of the ball, was not caught in possession once and committed two fouls.

He said he had not found it too difficult to fit in with Barca's tiki-taka style, explaining: "I know that here it is important to play one or two touch football. But sometimes, although it seems strange, it is more easy to play like that than hold onto the ball."

Vilanova said he was happy with how quickly the new arrival was settling in, saying: "He played very well. He has not been training with us for many days, but he has quickly picked up the workings.

"He is an intelligent player with a good touch who links well with his team-mates. He passed his first exam at the Camp Nou with flying colours."