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ESPNsoccernet: Europe | |
New Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has told his first press conference of the season that he has no "bad feeling" towards Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.
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Vilanova, who takes over from Pep Guardiola at the Camp Nou, was famously poked in the eye by the Real Madrid boss in last season's Super Cup, but is not concerned by the removal of his opposite number's suspension.
"The fact that, after a year, we are still talking about what happened with Mourinho in the Super Cup - it tires me," Vilanova told reporters.
"Only the judge sets the sanctions and there is a measure of grace, I accept that. The punishment is not whether one or two games are given. The greatest punishment is that these images will last for many years.
"We are in the world of football and punishments must be accepted. He [Mourinho] greeted me in the game at the Bernabeu and I do not have any bad feelings."
The first leg of the 2012 Spanish Super Cup will be played at the Camp Nou on 23 August, with the return leg in the Bernabeu stadium a week later.
Vilanova also added that, although he intends to retain the "small" squad of his predecessor, he is hoping that the club strengthen defensive areas.
"I am not looking for an attacking player because we have many and they are good. What's more, when Villa is back we will be at full strength. We prefer that the club spend to strengthen the defence.
"The presence of Villa has been a nice surprise. It's clear he has worked hard. We hope he will return sooner rather than later. He is a very important player for this team."