Vilanova puts trust in youth

The side is already missing Gerard Pique because of a foot injury and he has now been joined on the sidelines by captain Carles Puyol, who dislocated his elbow in the 2-0 victory over Benfica.

It was the one downside to an otherwise satisfying result for Barca, who made it two wins from two in UEFA Champions League Group G, thanks to goals either side of half-time by Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas.

With Barca facing Real Madrid in 'El Clasico' this weekend, Puyol's injury could not have come at a worse time but Vilanova is hopeful the team can patch up the gaps.

"I've always said it, we've always had problems with our central defenders, but we'll move forward," he said.

"It's not just that we've lost Puyol for the Clasico on Sunday, but we've lost him for other matches as well.

"The injuries mean we will have to play players in positions that aren't their own, but we'll use our youth players [to cover the absences], that's why we have them."

Vilanova believes the side's Champions League victory stands it in good stead for the upcoming meeting with arch rival Madrid.

"I think we're coming into the match on form, at the moment we're playing at a good level, even though I would like to be able to call on all of my players for a match like this," he said on www.fcbarcelona.com.

"It means nothing that we have an eight-point advantage over them [in the league].

"We've played against each other so many times that it's impossible for us to surprise Madrid or for Madrid to surprise us."

Defender Javier Mascherano was also pleased with the performance against Benfica, which saw the side extend its unbeaten start to the season across all competitions.

"We played against an intense team, they pressured us quite a bit and they have quality players," said Mascherano.

"We scored a goal in the first half and that calmed us down, we could have scored more and we finally did in the second half.

"Puyol's injury is really bad news, he's the captain, a fantastic player and a man the brings a lot to the group and the team. Now he's picked up another injury but hopefully we can have him back with us soon.

"We're coming into the Clasico on form"