Vilanova: Messi to play despite impending parenthood

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Vilanova spent part of his playing career with Celta and admits he still feels affection for the Galician city and for the club.

"I have good memories, because they treated me very well there," he said. "My daughter was just one year old at the time and I have happy memories, Maybe I would have liked to have played more, but I did my best at the time," commented Vilanova, before discussing the current Celta side, which has lost all of its away games to date.

"They try and play attractive football, they keep the ball and have fast players in attack, so we will have to keep up the pace," he said, praising Celta coach Paco Herrera for using such an open style in Celtas return to the top flight after five years in the second division.

"Everyone sets their sides out the way they have to do so, I would rather see a team come to Barcelona to try and play football and I think Celta will do that, as it is what we have seen when we have watched them. I think it makes for a better game.

One player who could benefit from Celta's open style of play is Leo Messi, even though the striker on the verge¹ of becoming a father with his partner due to give birth at any moment.

"in principle he is going to be at the game," assured Vilanova. "We gave him permission to miss training, I think that is normal on such an important day, but iIf everything is OK then he will be here to play tomorrow (Saturday)."

"I don't think the question will make him lose concentration, but we will have to see. He always plays very well," said Vilanova.

The Barca coach confirmed that central defender² Gerard Pique³ was on the verge of full fitness after suffering an ankle injury which has kept him out of action for six weeks. He highlighted Pique's importance in defending set pieces.

He was also asked about the club's policy of using a lot of youth team players while Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho seems reluctant to place any confidence in members of the Real Madrid B-team squad⁴.

"It is all a question of daring to play them," said Vilanova.

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