Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova will take charge of the team for their opening game of 2013 at home to city rivals Espanyol in La Liga on Sunday after making a quicker than expected recovery from a throat operation
Barcelona's new coach Tito Vilanova has one of the toughest acts to follow in replacing Pep Guardiola although he is not showing any sign of nerves ahead of his first showdown with Real Madrid.
Cesc Fàbregas's second season back at Barcelona will be an improvement on his first, coach Tito Vilanova predicted on Saturday following the former Arsenal captain's indifferent start to the 2012-13 campaign.
Unbeaten La Liga leaders Barcelona continued their record-breaking start to the season when Lionel Messi struck his 91st goal of 2012 in a 3-1 win at Real Valladolid.