MADRID — Tito Vilanova was still Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona assistant when he hit the headlines last August after Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho jabbed him in the eye during a touchline scuffle in the Spanish Super Cup.
Twelve months on he has replaced his good friend in the Barça hot seat and returns to face his tormentor, this time as coach in the first leg of the 2012 edition at the Nou Camp tonight.
Holders Barça arrive as King’s Cup winners and it is a first chance to measure up Vilanova’s side against the league champions, with tensions between the Spanish giants eased since last year’s low point.
A mass brawl between players at the end of the 2011 second leg resulted in three red cards while television images of Mourinho’s attack on Vilanova led to harsh recriminations.
Mourinho was eventually given a two-match Super Cup ban and Vilanova one game for his retaliatory gesture, but both punishments have since been lifted by federation president Angel Maria Villar.
Mourinho, who had refused to apologise to anyone but Madrid fans for his actions, calmed the waters earlier this month by saying he was wrong. Vilanova has also sought to put the incident behind him as he takes up the baton from Guardiola who swept up 14 trophies in his four years at the helm.
Barça made a flying start to their league campaign with a 5-1 mauling of Real Sociedad on Sunday, gaining an immediate advantage over arch-rivals Real Madrid who drew 1-1 at home against Valencia.
Vilanova’s league debut as coach was made all the sweeter by striker David Villa’s return from an eight-month injury layoff due to a broken leg to score the fifth goal of the night as a substitute.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Spain’s all-time leading scorer is still short of match fitness and is unlikely to start on Thursday, a similar scenario facing new signing Alex Song.
