Roura: Vilanova to attend Malaga game

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura says Tito Vilanova will be present for his side’s La Liga clash with Malaga on Sunday.

Vilanova has been undergoing cancer treatment in recent weeks, but his assistant has said the head coach’s input is crucial to the players.

“Firstly, Tito (Vilanova) will to be at Malaga’s stadium (on Sunday). He is feeling well right now and he is in high spirits, so he will be there. Tito taking part is really important for everybody, without doubt.”

Having lost several key players due to budget restrictions in the off-season, Malaga have defied expectations to be fourth mid-way through the Liga season, and in contention to reach the Champions League for the second year running.

“Malaga had economic problems before, I don’t know how it is going right now but I can tell you on the pitch you cannot feel their economic problems because they are having a good season with Manuel Pellegrini – who is top level coach – on the bench,” Roura said.

“We are going to try and win Sunday’s match because it’s going to be really difficult.”

Finally, Roura said he feels Barca – who are yet to lose in the league – are unlikely to remain unbeaten all season.

“I know that one day we will lose a game – statistically we will do – but we train for every match as usual and we don’t think about trying to win before every match, but it’s true one day we will lose,” he said.

“Hopefully it is going to be very far away (from now) though.”