FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.08.2008 20:00

Vilanova: "It could have been more complicated"

Jaume Marcet/Anna Segura

Tito Vilanova has admitted that the Champions League draw could have been more difficult for FC Barcelona after they were picked out in the same group as Sporting Lisbon, Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Blaugrana first team assistant coach spoke Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat after the event in Monaco on Thursday and said: "There were teams that people felt would be tougher, but this group will still not be easy for Barça," he explained. "It is true though that it could have been more complicated that it has in fact turned out to be."

Worthy opposition

"If these teams are in the Champions League then it is because they deserve to be," Vilanova continued. "They are all difficult opponents. We know that every away game will be tough because of the atmosphere that the home fans will create for our visit and so we are not expecting any match to be easy."

Sporting

Looking ahead to the games against Sporting, the trainer said: "Portuguese football is good and they have some great players. Therefore, they will be more complicated than some people think. They have some good youngsters that the biggest clubs in Europe want."

Basel

Vilanova then admitted that Barça would need to do their homework on Basel. "We did not prepare notes for every team, but we will certainly study them and their players now and watch the way that they play," he continued.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Finally, the coach admitted that Shakhtar Donetsk could cause Barça the most problems. "I think they will be the most difficult because they are regulars in the Champions League and have more experience," he added.