FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.04.2008 13:08

Messi working with the squad

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The Argentinian striker, who is still on his recovery programme, has trained normally with the rest of the team. The player was very active and even scored a goal in the game played to close the session.

After securing a place in the Champions League semi finals, the players returned to training on Thursday at La Masia. The squad was joined by Leo Messi, but many of the players that faced Schalke were missing due to minor injuries sustained the night before.

Messi 100%

The Argentinian striker took part in a full training session for the first time since going down with an injury having also been involved some of the last session before the game with Schalke. During training, Leo Messi looked back to his normal self, and scored one of the goals in the game played between those present, and which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Seven reserves

As Abidal, Henry, Zambrotta, Xavi, Iniesta and Valdés were all missing along with those with longer term injuries, seven members of Barça B were called upon to make up the numbers, namely Espasandín, Pau, Dimas, Toribio, Chico, Jeffren and Urbano.

Short session for starters

As usual on the day after a game, the players that started the match were not subjected to too much stress. Thuram, Touré, Puyol, Bojan and Eto'o jogged for a while, and then only Thuram stayed behind. The French defender stayed behind to work out with one of the fitness coaches.

The session ended with a short game. Wearing bibs were Pinto, Sylvinho, Edmílson, Ezquerro, Giovani, Dimas, Chico and Urbano, who faced the bib-less Pau, Milito, Gudjohnsen, Jeffren, Messi, Toribio and Espasandín.