SPAIN/ BARCELONA, Vilanova: "Unai Emery is brave"

© foto di Hernandez/Alterphotos/Image Sp

The FC Barcelona manager, Tito Vilanova, said that his players aren't euphoric and that they are focused on their coming game against Unai Emery's Spartak Moscow.

"The Champions League is as important as the league. We know that we're beginning a phase that has many games, but the first home game is very important. If you lose it, you start from behind. You need to be focused from the first game on because a loss complicates things and it's already a struggle to get out of the group stage", he said in a press conference.

For this reason he steadfastly refused to see it as a simple task. "It's vital to start with a win. If it comes against the least favoured in the group it makes no difference. In the Champions League any team can beat you", he pointed out.

When he was asked about the Spartak Moscow manager, Unai Emery, he thinks the former Valencia Manager will ask his players to press high up the pitch. "He's always been brave and he's attacked us hard. I'm not sure if he'll do the same with Spartak, but I have a feeling that he will", said Vilanova.

Regarding 'el Clásico' on 7th October at the Camp Nou, he said: "When you're under greater pressure it seems you'll be more involved in the game, but I prefer to arrive on a run of good results. Every game is different and sometimes things change very fast in football. But I prefer to come into 'el Clásico' after getting some good results".