Tito hails Barca attitude

Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova hailed the attitude of his players following the 3-0 Copa del Rey win over Alaves.

Barca brushed aside their Segunda B opponents in the first leg at Mendizorroza through goals from David Villa, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, but it was the way in which his players approached the tie that particularly pleased Vilanova.

“These players have won everything, World Cups and European Championships, but they come here and put in a great performance against a Segunda B team,” he told Barcelona’s official website.

“When you look at the ground and the fans you think they could be in La Primera, and in that sense we were a bit fortunate to get them in the draw, but you have to recognise the effort the players put in.

“It was a good game and in the earlier rounds you must be very careful and we played a very serious match.”

He also commented on the return of right-back Dani Alves after injury and the form of Alexis Sanchez and Sergi Roberto.

“It’s very good news that Dani is back and the game was good for him. He’s been a bit up and down physically recently but did well this evening and struck up a good understanding with Alexis, who was unlucky in front of goal a couple of times.

“Sergi Roberto is somebody who could play for the first team but we have to look at the fact we have so many players in that position, so many good players, but Sergi can play in La Segunda to retain match fitness and can come in when we need him. He is a very reliable player.”

Despite the three-goal cushion, Vilanova still refused to concede the second leg at the Camp Nou was a mere formality.

“I think with these ties you can never say they are over. Like I said yesterday, you must be very respectful of your opponent.

“We must maintain that respect and until it’s over you can’t say it’s over,” he concluded.

Tags Alexis Alves David Villa Sergi Roberto Vilanova
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