Vilanova content with Barca attitude

Posted Friday, December 14, 2012 by ESPN

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova praised his charges for maintaining the right attitude during their Copa del Rey clash with lower league opponents Cordoba.

Two goals from record scorer Lionel Messi ensured Barcelona victory and an advantage going into the second leg of their fifth round Copa del Rey tie with Cordoba.

Vilanova told the club's official website after the game that he was pleased by the lack of complacency displayed by the Catalan side despite playing a team from the Segunda Division.

"I was sure that it would be a difficult match. Córdoba showed us that, particularly in the first half," Vilanova noted.

"They knew, at the very least, that they had to work just as hard as the Córdoba players, and that’s what they did. It was a great match because both teams wanted to attack and because atmosphere was fantastic."

The Barcelona boss was also content with the performance of David Villa and insisted that the former Valencia man was only taken off because Vilanova sought more speed in the final third for his team.

"I’m very pleased with the work he’s done. He provided the assist for Messi and he gave us a lot of options up top," he shared.

"He played with a lot of rhythm and he reminded me of the footballer he was before his injury. I subbed him off because I believed that Tello’s pace would help us score a third goal."

Barcelona welcome title challengers Atletico Madrid to the Camp Nou for their La Liga fixture this weekend.