HOLA!

Some Barcelona fans are a bit worried as to whether new manager Tito Vilanova has what it takes to steer the Catalans to successes in the new season.

Not many really know who this Senor Vilanova is. They only know him as assistant manager to magician Josep 'Pep'Guradiola who steered Barca to an amazing record of winning   14 trophies from 2008 to 2012.

Of course, he was also the man whose eye was poked by Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho after the two 'teams clash in the Spanish Super Cup last season.

It will be take practically a miracle (right) for Vilanova to emulate, really.

But like it or not,  he has to face this tough challenge of keeping the Barca flag flying high as he has now been given to take over Guardiola who has decided to take a one-year break from managing a team.

Some players feel that he can handle the job after being with Guardiola for four years.

However, midfielder Javier Mascherano believes Vilanova's biggest challenge as manager of Barca will come in taking on the responsibilities that previously fell on Guardiola.

And the Argentina international warned his new boss that the spotlight will now solely be on him.

"Tito will now carry the pressure. Until now he was a lower-profile coach and all the responsibility fell on Guardiola," Mascherano (left) tod AS. "Now he has to assume the main role.

"With the move from assistant to manager he has gained notoriety. Today all the attention falls on him but he has always been an important part in the success of the team.

"Every one of us ought to respond in the same way."

Vilanova will be able to count on Argentina international skipper Lionel Messi who has had a summer off from competitive fixtures after featuring in international tournaments in 2010 and 2011, and Mascherano believes it will be a huge positive.

"Messi has returned in good shape. It is true pre-season matches are to remember the habits, but the fact he has had a month's rest has been proven to have an effect. This season he will be fresher."

But it will be difficult for Barca to just rely on Messi, who can decide matches with one or two magical moves. What will happen if he is injured?

Can Vilanova handle the pressure of handling a big team like Barca?
 
Vilanova, 42, must have plans on how to at least maintain Barca's strengths for the new season as bitter rivals Real are improving by the day.

Anyway, let's know the man better.

He was a midfielder during his playing days.

Clubs? Don't fall off from the chair as not all good players can become good managers. He played from 1990 to 2002 with Figueres, Celta, Badajoz, Mallorca, Lleida, Eiche and Gramenet.

Well...

Coaching career?

He was Barca B assistant manager to Guardiola in 2007. A year later he became assistant to Guardiola again for the senior team before taking over as the main man.

Now you can fall off from your chair if you want to.

El Loco believes Vilanova should be given the chance but then he must not start losing matches on regular basis or he will be in trouble.

The Barca fans, at least, want to see the team continue to give Real a tough time in the fight for honors. Wonder whether Vilanova is sleeping well nowadays as the new season draw nearer.

Oh yes... Brazil will take on Mexico for the London Olympics gold this weekend.

The Brazilians, who have yet to win a gold, are poised to do so this time with the likes of Neymar and Oscar in the team. This is their best chance and they must not screw it up.

Mexico will also be without one of their key players in attacker Giovani dos Santos (pic, right) because of a muscle tear.

Anyway, the United States won the gold for the third successive time when they beat world champions Japan 2-1 at Wembley this morning.

So who were the stars for the Americans? Two-goal Carli lloyd and goalkeeper Hope Solo, of course.

Adios!


- mD

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