Roura: Vilanova will return against Malaga

Jan 12, 2013 9:30:00 PM

The Barcelona assistant has confirmed the club's head coach will be back in charge on Sunday, following the 44-year-old's return from a medical appointment in the United States

Jordi Roura has revealed Tito Vilanova will make his return to the dug-out against Malaga on Sunday.

The Barcelona coach was diagnosed with a cancer relapse in late December, and spent three weeks recuperating from surgery and relevant treatments.

"Tito will be back against Malaga. He is very strong and lively, and it is good for everyone," Roura told reporters. "He is our coach, and his presence always gives us an important boost.

"We are aiming to keep up the intensity we have shown to this point, always playing our game at this level."

Sunday's opponents, Malaga, began the season cash-strapped and with ownership issues, but have risen to fourth in the Primera Division, a feat Roura believes should be respected.

"It is true Malaga had some financial problems, but [Manuel] Pellegrini is doing an extraordinary job. They are a difficult and complicated opponent, one which has conceded the fewest goals in the league," he praised.

"According to statistics, it is inevitable that we will eventually lose, but for now we are just concentrating on Sunday's game, with complete focus and without thinking further."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: Siena 1-2 AC Milan
Goal was on hand to judge all the players as Allegri's men finished third in Serie A and secured a Champions League berth next season
Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Valladolid
Goal rates the players on show as the newly-crowned Liga champions cruised past the challenge of Miroslav Djukic's men to keep up hopes of reaching 100 points
Arsenal hold their nerve in top-four battle
Arsene Wenger's side produced a clinical performance to secure a top-four Premier League finish but now they must kick on if they wish to challenge for honours next year
Player Ratings: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Laurent Koscielny's 52nd-minute volley secured the Gunners the win over Alan Pardew's side and made sure they would be playing Champions League football next season
Player Ratings: West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson was given a farewell to remember, but certainly not for the right reasons as the Romelu Lukaku-led hosts battled back from three goals down to earn an unlikely point