Focused on the job at hand: Vilanova not thinking of Madrid.
Barcelona fans might have already firmly fixed their attentions on
Sunday’s upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp, but the
Catalan club have the small matter of a testing Champions’ League trip
to Benfica to negotiate first.Tito Vilanova’s side made a winning start to their European campaign a fortnight ago, earning a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Spartak Moscow at the Nou Camp thanks to a late brace from Lionel Messi.
They are hot favourites to win a group that also contains Benfica and Celtic, who shared the points with a goalless draw in Glasgow in their opener, but Vilanova is determined not to take anything for granted at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening.
“There are only six games in this group phase and it would be an error to make qualification more complicated than it should be,” he said. “Benfica are a great club who will be dangerous, but I am confident that we can win and it will be important to get another three points.”
Vilanova also insisted that thoughts of this weekend’s meeting with Real Madrid have not yet entered his mind. “The only important game at the moment is Benfica and we’re not thinking about anything else. There will be plenty of time to think about the Clasico at the end of the week.”
The Barca boss is pleased to welcome back Andres Iniesta and skipper Carles Puyol from injury, while Adriano is also available. The unexpected comeback of centre back Puyol is particularly significant considering the defensive vulnerabilities that Barca have displayed in the last few weeks, and Vilanova praised the recovery powers of his captain, who has returned to fitness after just two weeks on the sidelines despite initially being ruled out for four to six weeks.
“When a player has the capacity to recover so quickly and so many times, it’s because of his mentality and his willingness to work for many hours every day. When that happens more than once, as it has with Puyol throughout his career, it’s not just a coincidence.”
However, Vilanova continued his usual approach of refusing to give any indications over his possible starting line-up, saying: “We arrived back from our game at Sevilla at 4am on Sunday morning so I have to see how everybody has recuperated. I’ll decide the team tomorrow.”
Benfica have made a solid start to their Portuguese league campaign, winning three and drawing two in their opening five games. Brazilian striker Lima has scored three goals in two outings since joining from Sporting Braga at the end of August, and forms part of a dangerous strike force that also includes former Real Madrid trainee Rodrigo.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus commented: “We respect Barca but we do not fear them. We are champions of Portugal and we have to be prepared to face anyone. Last season it was Chelsea, and now it’s Barcelona – although it’s true that Barca have more qualities, both collectively and especially individually."
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