Tito Vilanova has rejected the suggestion that he is already thinking towards the Clasico: “In my head there is only Granada, Granada and Granada.”
Hosting the Andalucion minnows this Saturday, La Blaugrana have the opportunity to move 11 points clear of Real Madrid before the capital club play on Sunday.
With the Clasico also on the horizon in Week 7, the assembled media were curious to ask where Vilanova’s mind was today.
“I am not thinking about the Clasico. What concerns me is reaching 15 points from a possible 15 this weekend,” he declared this evening.
“It has not been done many times in history. In my head there is only Granada, Granada and Granada. I am not thinking about Real Madrid, it’s like you asking me about the game in Madrid in the second round of fixtures.
“Against Granada, the incentive is to win, not to think that we move 11 ahead of Madrid. As it is not up to us it is not worth wasting time.
“I have seen games of Granada’s and they are organised and do very well on the counter-attack.”
Vilanova was asked who would be playing in central defence for tomorrow’s match, in light of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique’s respective absences through injury.
Speculation through the week has been that Marc Bartra will be preferred in place of Alex Song, but Tito sees things differently.
“Tomorrow I will decide who plays. If Bartra is in the first team it is because he has the ability. Marc will get games, but the season has only just begun. Bartra is in the first team because he deserves it, not because his contract may say so.
“Song can also be brought in to play at centre-back. He has many levels. He fits perfectly and can also play in defence. I was surprised because he understands everything I explain to him first time.
“I am more at ease when I have everyone available, but we know that in football there are injuries. It happens to every team, there is no excuse.”
Club President Sandro Rosell confirmed this week that the club are considering how to go about beginning contract negotiations with Lionel Messi. Reports suggest a contract structured to tie the player down for the rest of his career is being considered.
“He is the best in the world, if he is not already the best in history, he will end up being so. To all at Barca it would be a joy to have him end his career here. You will not see a player like Messi again.”
