Vilanova: "There's nothing at stake for me"

The Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova, played down the importance of the consequences for him if defeated by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup. "What's at stake for me? Nothing. It's not like that if we don't win, the world will fall down around me and I won´t be able to go on or do my job well. I don't believe that much is at stake in every game, because I want to enjoy this job peacefully. I'm sorry, but there are more important things in my life".

Guardiola's replacement faces his first 'Clásico' safe in the knowledge that the first title of the season will not determine the performance of the two teams over the rest of the year. "To say that whoever wins this trophy half-way through August is going to be the best all season seems hasty to me", said Vilanova, who believes that "neither of the teams are going into the game better than the other, nor at their best" at this stage of the season.

Regarding Mourinho's statements denying that Barça has dominated in recent years, he said: "Everyone has their own opinion, and you have to respect that, but what I know is that this team has done spectacular things; unbeatable things. It won nine titles out of the nine on offer in two years, and 14 out of 19 in total over the past four. Furthermore, there are four or five teams in history which are remembered not just for their titles but for how they played, and this is one of them", he stated categorically.

The battle for bragging rights begins

Tonight Barcelona and Real Madrid kick off the latest chapter in their unique, engrossing rivalry with a match that is being played in a completely different context to recent years. The main difference is the identity of the man in the home team's dugout, Tito Vilanova, for whom tonight's match marks a first taste of the pressure that awaits him in the hotseat.

The other big piece of news, and one that is much appreciated, is the sense of peace that reigns in the build-up to this instalment of the 'clásico'. With none of the usual posturing, the spotlight is firmly on the football and the 22 players who will take to the pitch at the Camp Nou tonight, which will include at least ten of the top footballers on the planet.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi, the two leading contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or, are once again expected to dominate proceedings in this clash of the titans.

For the first time in several years, Madrid will not be travelling to the Camp Nou as the underdog. Real Madrid's victory away at Barça last season meant more than just three points, even if these did virtually clinch the title for Mou's men. It confirmed that this Madrid side is a superb team that passes its toughest tests with flying colours.

Madrid overcame all of its fears that night and today it will arrive at the Camp Nou as champions, brimming with confidence. All this points towards the first title of the season not being decided until the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Unlucky 13

Leo Messi has gone 362 minutes without scoring against Real Madrid. This has been a bitter pill to swallow for the Argentine star, for whom an average of almost a goal a game had made Iker Casillas one of his favourite victims.

At one point the diminutive forward's record stood at 13 goals in 15 'clásicos'. However, he has since become stuck on this most unlucky of totals. His last goal against Barça's arch-rivals came in last year's Super Cup, when his strike with two minutes to go prevented the tie from going to extra time and sealed victory for the 'Azulgranas'.

Since then it's been nothing doing. Leo played the full 90 minutes in all four league and cup meetings between the clubs last year but failed to etch his name on the scoresheet. Mourinho seems to have found a way to keep him in check.

Curiously, Coentrao played in all four of these matches. This is particularly telling when you consider that the Portuguese defender only appeared in half of the club's league outings last year. His presence seems to have helped stop Messi, even though he is given free rein to roam across Barça forward line.

In these four fixtures, the Argentine's stats were way below his normal level: he took far fewer shots than usual and lost the ball more frequently. The worst of the lot was the league encounter at the Camp Nou, in which Madrid came away with a 2-1 win to wrap up the league title and Messi failed to hit the target on a single occasion.

Leo is itching to break his duck and get the monkey off his back. Although Barcelona won two of the four matches in question, as a forward he remains keen as ever to hit the back of the net again.

Mourinho plumps for Higuaín again

The Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has given his players a list of five "must-dos" for the first leg of the Super Cup this Thursday at the Camp Nou. His strategy seems to be bearing fruit, at least lately, as it helped 'Los Blancos' to capture the Spanish Cup in 2011 and the most recent league title.

However, the Madrid coach is anticipating something different in this fixture, with Tito Vilanova expected to mix things up tactically or spring a surprise in terms of formation. Various scenarios are being prepared for.

Higuaí­n can be confident of retaining his place in the starting eleven, with Mourinho seemingly decided on starting with him at the Camp Nou, despite the Argentine also having led the line against Valencia, relegating Benzema to the bench in the process.

The Portuguese coach was delighted with Higuaí­n's performance. As well as scoring Madrid's opener, 'Pipita' crashed a header against the bar and proved he is in great shape with his all-round contribution.

Mourinho is sticking to his philosophy of picking players on form, and Benzema still has to meet a number of milestones before he is at the top of his game. The coach is refusing to rule out starting with the Frenchman, but at the moment he sees him more as an impact player for the second half.

At some point Mou will surely rotate his strikers, but for the time being he wants to make the most of Higuaín's rich vein of form.

Albiol set to play in the Camp Nou

Following a season on the side-lines, in which he only played 15 games (10 league appearances and 5 in Europe) Raúl Albiol's big opportunity has finally come. Pepe's injury has opened the door to the Valencian player, who will line up in defence alongside Ramos in the Camp Nou, in the first leg of the Super Cup.

What better scenario to make his comeback? Albiol is keen to silence his critics and make more appearances for his club than he did last season.

Having formed part of the Spanish squad that won the European Championships in the summer, Albiol is in good physical shape. He performed well in the pre-season and has become the regular substitute in defence at the expense of Varane.

Now the time has come for him to show Real Madrid that it wasn't a mistake to extend his contract, which was announced recently. Apart from that, he also wants to prove to himself that he can be a key player at Real Madrid.

Pepe: "Soon will to keep fighting for this club"

"I want to thank you for the many expressions of support I have had in the last days." These are the first words of Pepe since Sunday suffered a collision with Casillas who departed momentarily Real Madrid commitments.

The Portuguese said to the media of the club: "I'm flattered by the encouragement I have received since Sunday, especially from the fans of Real Madrid, I've come to the heart. Very soon I will be in perfect shape to continue fighting for our shirts and our club. "

"In this sense, it is still very important to the continued support of all my fellow costume, coaches, managers and employees of our house. Want to thank also very particular to doctors of our team, who have been and are by my side at all times, "added the player.

Moreover, Pepe remembered other players, such as Pique, who have sent their support. "I also want to transfer meaning to thank all those colleagues from other clubs through various ways been interested in my health. Grandes details are not forgotten. A big hug for everyone," he concluded.

A big signing

Alex Song is now a Barcelona player. On Monday afternoon, the Cameroonian signed his contract, which will keep him with the Catalan club for the next five years. This was a signing the club needed to make after Keita's exit.

Song can play in three positions, but importantly he provides strength and height to the midfield. Barcelona's starting eleven is full of short players. Lacking height hasn't stopped the team from winning every title going in the last few years, but it is a problem that has continued to deteriorate, even more so now with Abidal and Keita leaving.

"He'll give us height, but that's not the only reason we got him. He'll surprise people. He's a very good player, he'll help us as a holding midfielder and he can also play as a centre-back", said Vilanova.

He even ventured a new tactical variation with the player in the squad: "We can also play with two holding players or bring him on for the last minutes if we need more height on the pitch. He can play in three positions".

Song made his first statements as a Barcelona player: "Barcelona is a winning club. I'm very happy to be here because everyone knows it’s the best team in the world".