MARCA.COM
Tito Vilanova was on the verge of surpassing Pep Guardiola's best start in the group stages of the Champions League, only to fall at the last hurdle. The former Barcelona boss won the first three group matches in the 2008-09 season, before being unexpectedly held by Basel at the Camp Nou. Last night's surprise setback against Celtic made it a similar story for Tito.
Vilanova also failed to equal his best winning run so far this season, which saw his side rack up six straight victories, a streak brought to an end by the home draw with Real Madrid.
The new Barça coach has already set a new record for the club's best ever league start, with nine wins and a draw. He had a chance to seal first place in the group against Celtic, which would have made the remaining two fixtures – against Spartak in Moscow and Benfica at the Camp Nou – a formality. Now Barcelona will travel to Russia with the pressure on. The Spartak clash on 20th November has taken on a new complexion.
Yesterday's defeat halted a four-year unbeaten run in Champions League away fixtures, dating back to the loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 18th October 2006. There can be no doubt that teams that keep it tight, are well drilled defensively, and are happy to play David to Barça's Goliath, can cause the 'Azulgranas' major headaches.
Tito Vilanova was on the verge of surpassing Pep Guardiola's best start in the group stages of the Champions League, only to fall at the last hurdle. The former Barcelona boss won the first three group matches in the 2008-09 season, before being unexpectedly held by Basel at the Camp Nou. Last night's surprise setback against Celtic made it a similar story for Tito.
Vilanova also failed to equal his best winning run so far this season, which saw his side rack up six straight victories, a streak brought to an end by the home draw with Real Madrid.
The new Barça coach has already set a new record for the club's best ever league start, with nine wins and a draw. He had a chance to seal first place in the group against Celtic, which would have made the remaining two fixtures – against Spartak in Moscow and Benfica at the Camp Nou – a formality. Now Barcelona will travel to Russia with the pressure on. The Spartak clash on 20th November has taken on a new complexion.
Yesterday's defeat halted a four-year unbeaten run in Champions League away fixtures, dating back to the loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 18th October 2006. There can be no doubt that teams that keep it tight, are well drilled defensively, and are happy to play David to Barça's Goliath, can cause the 'Azulgranas' major headaches.
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