Madrid – Barcelona will pay tribute to their former coach Tito Vilanova ahead of Saturday's clash with Real Madrid with 98,000 fans to take part in a stadium mosaic bearing his name.
The mosaic that will be displayed in both Barcelona's red and blue colours, as well as the yellow and red of the Catalan flag, will spell out “Força Tito” the Catalan for “strength Tito.”
Vilanova was forced to resign from his post as coach in July to continue his treatment for throat cancer.
“Once the Barcelona and Real Madrid players take to the field at 6pm on Saturday, the Camp Nou public will form a mosaic which will read 'Força Tito', a message of support for the former coach of the club who had to leave his post with the first team in July 2013 to continue treatment for the illness that was detected nearly two years ago,” said a statement on the Barcelona website.
Vilanova was only in charge of the first team for one season, but guided Barca to a record-equalling points tally of 100 as they cruised to a 22nd Spanish title in May.
The 45-year-old missed a significant period of the campaign, however, as he had to travel to New York for chemotherapy after suffering a relapse of the cancer in December last year.
Vilanova also played a significant role as assistant manager in Barca's glorious four-year spell under Pep Guardiola, in which they won 14 trophies, including two Champions League titles. – Sapa-AFP