FCBARCELONA.CAT

21.05.2008 11:18

Still training

Berta Brau/Anna Segura

The majority of the first-team squad were absent from training on Wednesday with players away preparing for Euro 2008 and other being sidelined with knocks that they have suffered.

While official games have finished, Barça continue to train as they prepare for their end of season friendly encounter in Saudi Arabia against Al Ittihad next Monday (19:45, Barça TV and Barça TV Online).

Absentees

Apart from the eight players who are away preparing for the European Championships - Deco, Xavi, Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta, Gianluca Zambrotta, Éric Abidal, Lilian Thuram and Thierry Henry - the session saw Samuel Eto'o, Edmílson and Rafa Márquez also absent. The Cameroonian striker has a blow on his left foot, while Edmílson is suffering from tendonitis in his knees and Márquez is still feeling pain in his Achilles.

Added to that list of players missing, Sylvinho, Touré Yaya, Gaby Milito, Ronaldinho and Albert Jorquera are also all out injured.

Seven up

On the pitch in front of La Masia the players, watched by Eusebio and Juan Carlos Unzué, included Víctor Valdés, José Manuel Pinto, Santi Ezquerro, Lionel Messi, Oleguer Presas, Bojan Krkic and Eidur Gudjohnsen. The seven players began by warming up and playing the usual ball games.

The two goalkeepers then moved away to work with Unzué while the rest of the players went through a circuit that concluded with a shot at goal. A small-sided practice game was then set up before the players headed back to the dressing rooms.