Barcelona will be just as strong as under Guardiola, says Edmilson

The former Blaugrana defender is confident that the Spanish giants will remain one of the teams to beat in Europe under new head coach Tito Vilanova

Edmilson believes Barcelona will be just as strong under Tito Vilanova as they were under Pep Guardiola over the past few years.

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The latter opted not to renew his contract as Barca coach earlier this summer and was replaced by his former assistant, and the former Brazil international claims the club's philosophy will assure that the Catalans remain on top of their game.

"I think that the club’s philosophy goes way back to the time of [Johan] Cruyff, and Barcelona have always shown that by playing great football," Edmilson was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"I have never seen a team play as well as they did under Guardiola, with all that possession, so many goals and such quality.

"Maybe it will be a bit harder now, but Tito has been working with these players for a while now and he knows their mentality. He knows them well.

"The philosophy will be the same and Barca will still be Barca, just as strong as in the last few years."

Edmilson, 36, made over 70 Liga appearances for the Catalan giants between 2004 and 2008.