FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.03.2008 11:31

Training minus the internationals

Berta Brau / Anna Segura

The first team trained this Monday morning in a session that focussed on physical recovery for the players in the starting XI against Valladolid. It was not attended by Barça’s internationals.

Barça trained this morning after the victory against Valladolid (4-1). There were a lot of players missing as this week features a number of international fixtures. In addition the players from yesterday’s starting line-up had a lighter work-out basically designed to help them recover from their physical effort in the game.

10 players with their national teams

10 Barça players have been called up by their national sides to play friendly matches this week. They are Abidal, Thuram and Henry who will be turning out for France; Iniesta, Puyol and Xavi who will be with Spain; Bojan who is in the under-21 Spanish squad; and finally Zambrotta who will be with Italy, Milito with Argentina and Gudjohnsen with Iceland.

Touré does strength work

Touré Yaya, who was in the starting XI, didn’t appear on the pitch at La Masia as he was doing strength work. Also absent were Deco, Ronaldinho, Jorquera and Oleguer who are still sidelined by injury.

Four reserves

The session was run by Frank Rijkaard’s assistants, Johan Neeskens and Eusebio Sacristán. The Barça B players who were in the squad for the Valladolid match, Víctor Sánchez, Víctor Vázquez and Pedrito, together with reserve goalkeeper Dani Planchería, joined Sylvinho, Ezquerro, Valdés, Pinto, Edmílson, Eto'o and Giovani at the session. Giovani has had a niggle in his left foot over the last few days but today trained normally with his team-mates.

Márquez at La Masia

Half an hour after the squad took to the field Rafa Márquez also appeared at La Masia to continue with his recovery programme. The Barça defender worked separately from the rest of the squad with one of the team’s fitness coaches.