Van Bronckhorst impressed by Barcelona transition

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst says Barcelona hold a slight advantage due to the fact Tito Vilanova has experienced much of the club’s recent success.

Vilanova replaced Pep Guardiola as manager at Camp Nou in June after working as his assistant for five years, which saw Barcelona win no fewer than 10 pieces of silverware.

Former Netherlands captain Van Bronckhorst believes Barcelona’s good start to the season can be put down to Vilanova’s understanding of their team philosophy.

“He knows perfectly the style of Barcelona. He knows the players and for them this is good, because normally with a new coach you must adapt to a new way of working,” he told UEFA.com.

“Here Vilanova works in a very similar way to Guardiola. There is no difference between last year and this year. It’s business as usual.”

The 37-year-old left-back made over 100 appearances for the Catalan giants as well as for Glasgow Rangers, the city rivals of Barcelona’s next Champions League opponents Celtic.

And Van Bronckhorst has been especially impressed with Barcelona’s displays in Europe thus far.

“The club has started very well,” he said. “They have secured six points in two games.

“Only the first match, against Spartak Moscow, was complicated. They could not have started better.”

The former Arsenal defender also spoke of how memorable it would be for the 2011 Champions League winners to secure their fifth crown at London’s Wembley after they claimed their maiden trophy at the stadium in 1992.

“It’s special, the club won its first Champions League at the old Wembley,” said Van Bronckhorst.

“To win their fifth Champions League there would be fantastic for the club.”