Vilanova rues injury setbacks

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova says his side will continue to improve as more players return from injury.

The La Liga leaders are in action on Saturday against struggling Deportivo La Coruna but are without several key players, including defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol.

And Vilanova says that while the injury problems persist, he will be forced to play some of his players more than usual.

“We have had problems with injuries since the start of the season,” Vilanova said.

“Some injuries are long-term. They are not injured just for two or three weeks, but for two or three months. If we have players back then we’ll be able to rotate the squad more.

“But if we don’t have them available we won’t have enough players. Obviously, that means some players will have to play more games than we would like.”

Barcelona have won six of their seven matches this season and top the La Liga table on goal difference ahead of Atletico Madrid.

Vilanova is convinced his team can get better as the campaign goes on.

“I always think that everyone can improve,” he said.

“I always think I can do things better, or that the team can improve, but I’m happy with the way my team play and the results. It wouldn’t be right if I thought that we couldn’t improve.

“Of course we can. It will happen when we keep going in the competition and we’ll have more players ready to play because at the moment they are injured.”

Despite his side being eight points clear of Real Madrid, Vilanova is keeping grounded about the title race.

And the manager of the Catalan giants says because the season is only seven matches old, a number of teams can still be crowned champions of Spain.

“We are at the beginning of the season. Nobody can say that Barcelona or Real Madrid will win this season for sure,” he said.

“Atletico Madrid, Malaga, Valencia or some other team have the chance to win because the season has only just started.

“Atletico Madrid ended last season very well. With the arrival of (Diego) Simeone they won the Europa League and European Supercup, so if they can do that in Europe then they can do that as well in our league.”