In seeing him break the world record for goals scored in a calendar year, Tito Vilanova has hailed Lionel Messi, for achieving what seems impossible.
The Argentine netted twice away to Real Betis for La Blaugrana to not only earn the team a 2-1 win at the Benito Villamarin, but also surpass Gerd Muller’s previous record of 85 goals scored for club and country in a calendar year.
“It seems impossible that in a year he can score that many goals, but there are three more games and hopefully he will continue to add to the total,” expressed his Coach Vilanova at full-time.
Messi’s double sees him moved on to 86 goals for 2012, one more than Muller managed in 1972.
“Hopefully he will achieve a lot more, because he is still very young. I think we will not see another player like him.
“He has many strengths. He understands the game both offensively and defensively. With these records it is always the same. Within a few years someone will surpass it, but let’s enjoy the moment.”
The game proved a close affair and Vilanova admitted that Barca did suffer towards the end and could have dropped two points.
“We have tightened up at the back, but on the counter-attacks they had the chance to score another goal.
“We have had several chances, but it is true that so have they. We dominated the first half, but in the second we suffered more.
“We had the superiority that Leo generated in the field, but since we scored to make it 2-1 the fans began to encourage Betis and we had to be much tighter in defence. They deserve credit, of course. In the second half, we had a couple more chances to score.
“There are two types of game. in the first half, we enjoyed things and in the second we had to suffer. Certainly this team will be remembered for their playing style.
“We have suffered in a field that is never easy to play in, we always have a hard time here.”
