Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has played down his side’s Champions League favouritism ahead of their clash with Spartak Moscow on Wednesday.
The Spanish giants are being heavily backed to win Europe’s premier club competition for a fifth time, and start their bid at home to Spartak.
Vilanova was in bullish mood when asked about the game at Camp Nou against Unai Emery’s side, calling the Russian Premier League team ‘difficult and dynamic’.
“It is too early to be thinking about the final at Wembley,” Vilanova told reporters. “In the Champions League, any team can beat any other. There are no easy games.
“The Champions League is basically the most important competition, besides our league. The first game of the tournament is a very important one – you have to give it your all because of its importance.
“It will be a tough game. Spartak will not be easy, they are a dynamic team that want to succeed. Unai Emery always makes it difficult for us, he’s always brave with his selections. I’m sure they will put us under pressure.”
Barcelona have made a strong start to the season and top La Liga with a perfect 12 points from four matches, but Vilanova said his players were not getting ahead of themselves.
“I don’t think the players are euphoric, they’re accustomed to winning four games in a row,” he said.
