FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.12.2007 12:25

Training in greater numbers

Sandra Sarmiento / Jordi Clos

Giovani Dos Santos, Víctor Valdés, Gaby Milito and Bojan Krkic all returned to full training on Wednesday, while Lilian Thuram and Sylvinho were given the green light to play again by club doctors.

The quartet missed training on Tuesday as Valdés was suffering from swollen glands in his neck, while Bojan and Milito were suffering from stomach problems. Giovani missed the session as he continues to recover from a blow to the ankle that he received during the Copa del Rey encounter with Alcoyano last month.

Coach Frank Rijkaard had more good news as both Sylvinho and Thuram were told that they were both fit to return to playing after coming through the first training session of the week without any problems.

Four absent

There were four absentees on Wednesday. Touré Yaya was laid low by flu while Eidur Gudjohnsen also had stomach problems and Oleguer Presas and Thierry Henry both continued with their recuperation programmes. The French forward did take to the pitch in front of La Masia to run under the supervision of the coaching staff and complete some circuits.

Intense training

The main part of the session comprised of physical circuit training that always ended with a shot at goal and then continued with three more rounds that became gradually more intense. The first group to go was made up of Leo Messi, Milito, Santi Ezquerro, Andrés Iniesta and Bojan. The second set of players was Carles Puyol, Éric Abidal, Deco, Giovani, Xavi and Eto'o. The third group contained Sylvinho, Ronaldinho, Gianluca Zambrotta, Rafa Márquez, Edmílson and Thuram.

At the end of the circuit Albert Jorquera, Rubén and Jordi took turns in goal as the players had a shot each. Valdés worked separately with Carles Busquets.

Game time

After the physical work, the players participated in a small match. The team without bibs comprised Valdés, Puyol, Márquez, Sylvinho, Deco, Xavi, Giovani, Ronaldinho and Eto'o and in the yellow bibs were Jorquera, Zambrotta, Thuram, Abidal, Edmílson, Ezquerro, Messi, Iniesta and Bojan.

The team without bibs secured a 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Giovani, Xavi and Eto'o.