The manager praised his players after the match and noted that "we created five very clear chances to score in the second half" despite playing with 10 men
After congratulating Real Madrid for winning the Spanish Super Cup, Tito Vilanova said that this is the proudest he’s been of his team. “Throughout the first minutes of the game Madrid created chances thanks to either our defensive errors or by using long balls, and they scored twice. This is the proudest I’ve been of my players, they played the whole second half down a man, and in the second half we created up to five very clear chances to score against an opponent that didn’t leave their own half of the pitch.”
“There’s a lot left”
The Barça manager is convinced that this defeat in the Spanish Super Cup will not affect the team going forward: “it’s clear that we would have preferred to win, but - as I said before the match - that this game wouldn’t determine the rest of our season. There’s a lot left. This will continue, and on Sunday we have to play in La Liga.”
Vilanova also noted, despite playing with 10 men and trailing for much of the match, that FC Barcelona was true to its style of play: “despite the risk, we kept on attacking. We went out against Real Madrid like we always do, on the attack. They scored two goals because of our defensive errors. I don’t believe that we were inferior. They were on target and they scored. But I’m sticking with the positive things, with the way we played in the second half and with how we created chances.”
More chances in the second half
When asked if he was taken off guard by Mourinho’s approach to the match, Vilanova was clear: “I knew that he was going to try to win the game. We went down to 10 men with a lot of time left on the clock, at the Bernabéu ... We held out and we created five very clear chances to score, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
(fcbarcelona.com)
***watch the video here --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea1mGtmfhAw&feature=player_embedded
The Cameroonian admitted at his press conference that as soon as he heard Barça was interested in him, he was quick to say yes, and added that he is happy to play either as a defensive midfielder or centre back
Alexandre Song is clearly thrilled to be here and said that as soon as he heard he had a chance of moving to FC Barcelona “I quickly said yes. I am very happy to be here in Barcelona. It is a big day for me and my family. To be able to play for the best club in the world is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” He was speaking in French at a press conference at which he was joined by vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta.
“My two sons are Messi fans”
The Cameroonian has high hopes for his future at Barcelona. “I know Barça have won everything, but I think it’s a team that’s ready to continue winning everything . I’ll try to do the best I can to make sure things carry on that way”, he said. Song also spoke about his admiration for Messi, adding that “I have two sons that are crazy about him. When they play in the garden they pretend to be Messi. He is an amazing talent, he’s the best”.
Whatever position
Asked what position he prefers to play, Song was prudent: “At Arsenal I played in two positions [centre back and defensive midfielder]. I’m ready to play wherever I am needed”. He also added that his intention is not to steal the place of Sergio Busquets, who is “the best in his position” and described himself as very different to former Barça man Touré Yaya.
Fast adaptation
Wherever he plays, Song is hoping to adapt to life at Barça as quickly as possible. “There are many similarities between their style and the one used at Arsenal and I think that’ll help me to adapt quickly. And I also have a good relationship with Cesc”. The two players were together at Arsenal from 2005 through to 2011. “He has told me a lot about the Club” said the Cameroonian.
Bartomeu: “Pure but short negotiations”
Vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu admitted that “it was not easy” to bring Song to Barça. “As happened with Cesc, Arsenal did not want to sell him and were asking a high price, but we are happy with what we paid both for Cesc and Song. The negotiations weren’t easy, but the player wanted to come, and that made things easier. It was tough, but it all went much faster than other negotiations have done”.
Meanwhile, Zubizarreta was full of praise for the Cameroonian. “Song was the first on our list of players. He is skilful and tactical, he is good on the ball and very fit. He has experience of top level competition and knows how to cope with high pressure and big demands”.
(fcbarcelona.com)
