Madrid, Sep 2 (IANS) FC Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova complained about the two-game suspension which means he will have to watch his side’s Primera Liga football match against Valencia from the stands.
Vilanova was sent off by referee Muniz Fernandez for protesting during Barca’s 2-1 win away to Osasuna and given a two-game ban by the Spanish FA, something he clearly does not agree with, reports Xinhua.
“I consider it to be excessive,” said Vilanova Saturday.
“When you tell an assistant referee your side should have had a foul and you find yourself with a two-game ban has set a precedent. I hope that now they don’t let up and maintain that line in the future,” he said.
“It is an important game for us and we have to try to go into the international break with all nine points. Valencia have changed some players, but they are a side that looks for space and which is dangerous from set pieces,” he said.
Defensive errors cost Barca dear as they lost the Spanish Supercup after a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid but Vilanova was not too worried by mistakes from Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique.
“The pitch was dry and we expected Madrid to look to hit long balls. I think we showed personality, but that doesn’t mean we are not able to look at ourselves,” said Vilanova.
He said he would make a decision on whether or not defenders Dani Alves and Carlos Puyol would play against Valencia Sunday.
Alves missed Wednesday’s game with a muscle injury, while Puyol broke his right cheek and could play wearing a face mask.
Vilanova also spoke about striker David Villa who is working his way back to full fitness after breaking his leg in December.
The Barca coach said he intended to build up the amount of time Villa would play in successive matches.
Finally, Vilanova praised Atletico Madrid striker, Radomal Falcao, who scored a hat-trick in his side’s European Supercup triumph 4-1 against Chelsea Friday night.
“It is a long time since I saw someone who was so good at finishing, but if he was to play for us, we would have to change the way we play for him to always get a game,” he said.
