Vilanova: “We have to score at the Bernabéu if we want to win the Super Cup"

Tito Vilanova could win his first title as FC Barcelona’s head manager this Wednesday. The Catalan is well aware of how Real Madrid play, especially at the Bernabéu. The manager cautioned that tomorrow’s game against Real Madrid wouldn’t be easy, especially after Madrid’s two defeats - one of which was at the Camp Nou - and one draw since the start of the season. “The games we’ve played in the past against Madrid don’t really matter. There’s never a clear favourite and sometimes the team that is favoured loses. We know how hard it is to play at the Bernabéu, they’ll come out to score and push men forward from the first minute. To win the Super Cup we have to score in Madrid, otherwise we’ll lose the title. If we are unable to maintain ball possession we’ll have a terrible time.”

“We won’t run any risks with Puyol”

Carles Puyol, who has a fractured cheekbone, continues to be doubtful for tomorrow’s match. The Azulgrana manager explained that Puyol “trained this afternoon and he tried to avoid any contact with his face, on Wednesday we’ll decide if he plays. He’ll be there if the doctors say he can play, but we won’t run any risks.” Vilanova also confirmed that Puyol will wear a protective mask if he does play.

On Alex Song, the manager explained that “we’ll see if he gets some playing time, it all depends on how the game is going.” Vilanova added: “the pivot position is very important to us, it’s a well-defined role. Song still has to learn how to play that role within our system.”

“Afellay, Fontàs and Dos Santos will have little playing time”

Vilanova revealed that he met with Afelley, Fontàs and Dos Santos to tell them that he has no problems with them staying in the first team but that they won’t have regular playing time if they do. “We have a lot of players on the roster. I told Afellay, Fontàs and Dos Santos that they won’t have a lot of playing time.” However, the manager added that if they stay “they’ll be treated like everyone else, they are excellent players.”