“I’d rather have dinner than watch the Madrid derby” – Vilanova

Tito Vilanova says he is not concerned with the result of the Madrid derby, but is concentrating on the game against Athletic Bilbao instead.

Jose Mourinho’s men face Falcao and co at the Santiago Bernabeu, before Barcelona face Bilbao later on. Vilanova says he will be busy with other things, while the game is going on.

“I have to attend my media conference and then have some supper. I have no intention of seeing [the derby] or following it,” Vilanova said at a press conference.

“Whether they [Real Madrid] are 14 or 16 points behind us is not important, they will not give up. I do not bother myself with that and neither should the players.”

Vilanova also spoke about Saturday’s opponents and the threat they pose to his team.

“My players know that Marcelo Bielsa’s teams exert much pressure and we’ll need to work. They’ve lost key players, but that does not make them any less dangerous.

“The quality Llorente has is important, but he’s had contractual problems. He has the ability to play for any big team in Europe.”

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