FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.05.2008 12:25

Getting ready for Madrid

Sandra Sarmiento / Jordi Clos

Barça’s first team has completed the first of its two training sessions planned before Wednesday’s game against Madrid at the Bernabéu. The players in the starting XI against Valencia have done a lighter work-out.

After thumping Valencia 6-0, the first team trained this Monday morning at La Masia. The session, which focussed on muscle recovery for the players and was directed by Johan Neeskens and Eusebio Sacristán, was also attended by reserve team goalie Pau Torres. It was the one before last session planned before the big clash with Madrid on Wednesday.

Players missing included Xavi, who did his warm-down in the gym, and Márquez, who is receiving treatment and doing gym work for strained Achilles heels. Deco, with a thigh strain, and Iniesta and Touré were also receiving treatment.

Easier for the starting line-up

There were three parts to the session at La Masia: a warm-up and keep-ball, ball skills work and a practice match. All of the players who were in the starting XI against Valencia except for Valdés left the pitch after the first part involving a range of recovery exercises. The remainder (Bojan, Sylvinho, Giovani, Gudjohnsen, Oleguer and Ezquerro) did circuit work with the ball while the three goalkeepers worked apart with Carles Busquets.

Practice match to finish

As usual, training finished with a match over part of the pitch. The two teams consisted of Pinto, Gudjohnsen, Sylvinho and Giovani on one side and Valdés (substituted by Pau), Oleguer, Ezquerro and Bojan on the other.