FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.05.2009 23:23

Vilanova: “We did the job”

Anna Segura

With Josep Guardiola suspended for the match against Deportivo, his assistant Tito Vilanova took over for the game and although the celebrations over the last couple of days were not perhaps the best preparation, Tito insisted that the team had “done

Vilanova accepted that the Champions League celebrations and the end-of-term feeling about the game weren’t the ideal context for the game, but was clear that: “with everything that’s happened over this last month it was never going to be easy to focus on the job in hand, but the players did their job”.

Obligation to win

Although there was nothing at stake for Barca with the league title already conquered, Vilanova explained: “we were defending the Brac shirt, so we wanted to win. Even if we were not playing for anything, when you play for this club you are obliged to win”.

Starting eleven

Barca sent out 11 first team players, though there were some second team players on the bench and Vilanova explained: “we wanted to take the game seriously. There were still teams in the league with things to play for that our result could affect. What’s more we were coming off two defeats in the league and we wanted to finish on a high note, whilst trying to give some of the fringe players a run out”.

Planning for next year

With the season over and holidays beckoning, Vilanova explained that the club was entering: “one of the most important times of the season, when we plan for next year. If we can do things right now, it’ll make it easier to pick up more trophies next May – we don’t stop working”.