Tito Vilanova enjoys stellar Barça debut

BARCELONA - The Associated Press

Following Barcelona’s 5-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad in Tito Vilanova’s debut on Aug. 19, the Catalan club appears to have found the ideal coach to carry on the legacy of Pep Guardiola and the most successful side in the club’s history.

Barcelona continued to display the same suffocating pressure, short combinations in tight spaces, and clinical finishing as exemplified by Lionel Messi’s double in the Spanish league match.

“It is always important to begin winning in this way,” said Vilanova. “I like what I see from my players because I see they are still hungry to keep winning. We always try to press up the pitch and that is the way people want us to play.”

Messi says he shared Vilanova’s desire to add to the club’s 14 titles under Guardiola.
“Just like Tito, I want to win everything,” the forward said.

“Tito already said that this team maintains the same philosophy and that was proven tonight,” the Argentinean superstar added.

Barcelona’s win included the return of striker David Villa, who hadn’t played in a competitive match since breaking his leg in the Club World Cup last December. Tito Vilanova sent Villa on with 15 minutes to play, and the Spanish international gave his team its fifth goal.