FCBARCELONA.CAT

04.12.2007 19:21

Focused on Deportivo

Marc Guillén / Vanessa Forns

The first team returned to training as they start preparing for Sunday’s game against Deportivo. Milito and Bojan, with stomach trouble, Valdés with anginas, and Touré Yaya with the flu were all missing.

After a day and half off it was back to work for Frank Rijkaard and his side as they start preparing for the visit of Deportivo la Coruña in what was the first training session since Eto'o received the medical all-clear.

Many missing

A total of 16 players appeared at la Masia at 17.30, with Milito, Bojan, Valdés all Touré Yaya sick. The first two have a stomach bug, although Bojan did come out for a short run, while Valdés has anginas and Touré Yaya has flu.

Three of the injured players, Henry, Oleguer and Giovani, worked out in the gym, although the Frenchman did come out for a short jog with one of the club’s fitness coaches.

Deco involved in most of session

After warming up the players tackled a series of circuits with and without the ball, focussing on strength and resistance. They then divided into groups for short matches, with Deco, despite still not having received medical clearance, working out with the rest of the group for the first time since his injury.

Practice match

The session ended with a yellow team made up of Abidal, Thuram, Edmílson, Xavi, Zambrotta, Eto'o and Ronaldinho, plus fitness coach Albert Roca and goalkeeping coach Carles Busquets taking on the blue bibbed Jorquera, Puyol, Márquez, Sylvinho, Ezquerro, Iniesta, Gudjohnsen and Messi. Eto'o looked highly motivated and constantly encouraged his team mates, while both Sylvinho and Xavi scored cracking goals.