FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.01.2008 13:54

Focus returns to the league

Berta Brau / Vanessa Forns

Immediately on arrival from Seville, the players trained at the La Masia training grounds with the focus on the next league match against Murcia. Xavi, Márquez and Milito are all carrying knocks and missed out on the session.

The players were back in Barcelona this morning after the 1-1 draw against Sevilla in the Cup. The session, which started at 12.45, concentrated on recovering tired muscles and preparing for next Saturday’s clash with Murcia.

Xavi, Márquez and Milito

Xavi, Milito and Márquez all picked up knocks in last night’s match and so exercised in the gym as well as receiving treatment from the physios. Deco and Ronaldinho also continued with their individual recovery programmes. Meanwhile, Club doctors were able to make a closer examination of the injury suffered by Edmílson in the Sánchez Pizjuán.

Solitary training for Messi

Lionel Messi is still recovering from his leg injury and spent some 45 minutes on his own practising long passes and shots on goal.

Two groups

Last night’s starting eleven did some jogging and stretching exercises while the rest of players did ball control exercises and circuit training. Valdés, Eto'o and Abidal were the first to return to the changing rooms.

Puyol, Iniesta and Henry stayed behind to carry on exercising. Puyol and Iniesta joined in with the subs group while Henry did some further stretching exercises before going in goal to save from Puyol. Before leaving the pitch he also spoke with Frank Rijkaard.

Circuits and shooting practice

Those members of the squad that did not play last night continued with some further circuits, including ball control and shooting, before finishing up with a session devoted entirely to shooting practice.