Sunday, 07 October 2012 11:40

BARCELONA: Manager Tito Vilanova has played down any significance as to how Barcelona's talisman Lionel Messi is deployed during El Clasico against Real Madrid at Nou Camp tomorrow (1:50am).

Messi (pic) has appeared in a number of positions for Barca but Vilanova has labelled how the striker turns out as irrelevant, arguing Real would already have adapted to such tactical variations via past encounters.

"It does not matter where Messi plays," said Vilanova. "Real will know by now how we play."

Then Vilanova went on to explain why no one side is favored to win tomorrow.

"Barcelona-Real Madrid never has clear favourites, regardless of where the teams each lie in the table. We've not beaten them all the time by a 5-0 scoreline. They have a very good squad, costing many millions more than ours," said Vilanova.

"All I'm focused on is claiming a seventh-consecutive victory (in the new season), something no team have achieved before."

Previous instances between the two Spanish heavyweights have often proven colorful encounters signified by political differences - like how the Catalan people were entitled to independence from Spain.

But Vilanova, who himself was involved in a high-profile physical altercation with counterpart Jose Mourinho in the past, believes this game could prove a turning point, where the spectacle on the pitch remains the focus of audiences.

"You will only see a football game, nothing more. While there is a rivalry, this is related to sports, and has nothing to do with politics," said Vilanova.

"I've seen what has been broadcast on television (regarding the infamous eye-poke by Mourinho), but I can say I am comfortable with my behavior. I can say nothing more in that regard."

The 43-year-old has lost centerback and captain Carles Puyol for two months, after the veteren dislocated his elbow in the Champions League encounter against Benfica, although the defence could be buoyed by the return of Gerard Pique.

"We will only judge how well Pique's muscles respond tomorrow, before the game. He will make an effort to be ready. Any team would otherwise feel the absence of players of Puyol's and Pique's calibre," said Vilanova.

The Primera Liga leaders enter the match eight points clear of Real after an impressive start to the season that has seen Josep 'Pep' Guardiola's successor achieve an unprecedented perfect record in the club's opening fixtures.