FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.05.2007 11:46

Deco back with the squad

Sandra Sarmiento/Sergi Nogueras

Deco returned to training for the second to last session of the week, after missing the Wednesday and Thursday workouts with an injured ankle.

The return of the Portuguese international means Márquez was the only first team player missing from the Friday workout. Deco made his return for the Betis match last weekend after recovering from a 2nd degree sprain to ligaments in his left ankle. But this week he has been exercising in isolation rather than joining in with the rest of the squad’s training activities.

Warm atmosphere

On a hot Friday in Barcelona, the session was marked by an excellent atmosphere between the players. It started with all the usual warm-up drills, a bit of sprinting and then the squad was split in two for a series of first-touch exercises.

Divided by zones

The main exercise of the day involved dividing the teams into three teams reflecting each player’s normal position on the pitch. So, there was a team of defenders made up of Belletti, Zambrotta, Sylvinho, Puyol, Oleguer and Thuram; a team of midfielders made up of Edmílson, Xavi, Iniesta, Motta, Gudjohnsen, Gio, and Deco from time to time too, while the strikers team featured Eto'o, Saviola, Messi, Ezquerro, Giuly and Ronaldinho. Two teams played at a time on a “winner stays on” basis.

Shooting practice

And an attack-minded team like Barcelona could not end the day without a bit of target practice. Valdés and Jorquera, who had spent most of the session working separately with Juan Carlos Unzué, rejoined the squad to contend with a barrage of goalscoring attempts.