Vilanova: “The points are more important than the record”

The Barça manager believes that the team’s record-breaking start to the season is simply “anecdotal.”

However, the manger noted that his team’s impressive run “is a demonstration of how eager the players are to win” Vilanova also said that “Piqué might play against Celtic” this week.

Tito Vilanova became the first manager in Club history to lead Barça to nine wins in the opening ten games of La Liga. The Catalan played down the importance of breaking the long-standing Club record and placed more importance on the 28 points won so far this season. “Besides the record what’s important are the points that we’ve won,” said Vilanova. The manager went on to praise his players for the attitude they displayed in tonight’s match against Celta: “It’s not easy [to break these kinds of records] seeing that you have to beat teams like Celta. This record is a demonstration of the desire these players have to win.”

“Piqué could play against Celtic”

Adriano, who picked up an injury this evening and will miss the next three weeks of competitive play, is the latest defender to join the team’s long injury list. Vilanova admitted that the Brazilian’s injury “ is troubling.” However, the manager is hopeful that he’ll be able to use Gerard Piqué in the team’s next match. “We have a training session on Monday. We’ll see if there’s a possibility for Piqué and Puyol to join the team. It’s possible that Piqué will be fit for the match against Celtic.”

Messi and Villa

Vilanova also explained why he named Messi to the starting line-up even though the Argentinean didn’t train on Friday: “He was fit enough to play and he told me that he was eager.” The manager also played down the fact that Messi didn’t score this evening.

The manager concluded his press conference by congratulating David Villa. “He takes an additional step each day,” said Vilanova as he reminded the press that the forward has scored in Barca’s last three matches. “We’re very pleased that he’s making a good return to competitive play and that he’s as eager as ever after such a serious injury.”

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