New record for Tito, but points more important

Madrid - Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova saw his side set a record for their best ever start to a season, but he said Sunday that setting records was not the main aim.

Adriano Correia, David Villa and Jordi Alba scored in Barca’s 3-1 win over Celta Vigo in the Camp Nou Saturday to give their side 28 points from a possible 30, beating the start achieved under Louis Van Gaal in the 1997-98 season, reports Xinhua.

“The important thing is not the record, it is the fact that we have got points on the board,” said Vilanova, who replaced Pep Guardiola as coach over the summer.

Lionel Messi, who played despite having become a father just 24 hours earlier, received a kick on the knee and needed medical treatment.

“He is OK, it looks like it is just a knock, although the fact is that we were all worried. I am worried when I see Leo go down or when any of our players goes down and needs treatment.”

“He was fine after seeing his son born and he wanted to play. I don’t think it affected him much even though he didn’t get a lot of sleep,” added Vilanova after a rare game in which Messi failed to hit the net.

“If he says he is in condition to play, then he is going to play. I think he wanted to score a goal to be able to dedicate it to his son (Thiago),” said Vilanova, whose side suffered another injury setback when Adriano was forced out with a torn muscle in his groin.

“It is worrying,” he admitted, while adding that central defender Gerard Pique could be fit to return for Wednesday’s Champions League clash away to Celtic.