Emery: Vilanova has special touch

Spartak Moscow boss Unai Emery has praised Barcelona Coach Tito Vilanova, saying the 42-year-old has a 'special touch'.

The Russian side have been drawn alongside La Blaugrana in the Champions League, and the Spanish Coach is under no illusions that the Camp Nou side are hot favourites to win the group, but has praised Vilanova, claiming they have a good relationship.

"It is a line of continuity," he told Mundo Deportivo. "That is clear, but Tito Vilanova has his own special touch. He is very similar to Guardiola, but there are nuances.

"We had a very similar profile as players – we were both in the second division, but he played a lot more games in the first division than me.

"With my previous teams, we tried to play to our strengths against Barcelona. We study their weaknesses, and try to exploit them. Sometimes it went well, but it's very difficult to do that against them.

“Hopefully it'll be different in the Champions League. We go with the utmost enthusiasm. Qualifying gave us a massive boost, but Barca are hot favourites."

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