FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.12.2007 11:46

Training focuses on tactical work

Sandra Sarmiento / Anna Segura

Frank Rijkaard put the emphasis on tactical work with his players at Thursday morning training. The session was characterised by intense participation by the players ahead of Sunday’s match.

With just three days to go before the match between Barça and Real Madrid, Frank Rijkaard is leaving nothing to chance. After two days of mainly fitness work, today’s session was dominated by tactical matters. However, the best news today was that Thierry Henry has made a full recovery from his injury problems and has been cleared for a return to the team.

Warm up and exercises

The entire squad, with the exceptions of Messi and Oleguer, who are still recovering from injury, took part in today’s session at the La Masía training grounds. After the usual warm up and ball control exercises, the players did some fitness work focussing on strength and speed followed by some practice on long passes.

Training match

Rijkaard then organised a training match, using the full pitch, between Valdés, Puyol, Milito, Márquez, Abidal, Touré, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Giovani, Eto'o and Iniesta (yellow bibs) and Jorquera, Zambrotta, Thuram, Edmílson, Sylvinho, Marc Crosas, Ezquerro, Deco, Bojan, Henry and Ronaldinho (without bibs).

A place in the starting line-up

Frank Rijkaard will have his work cut out on Sunday to choose a starting eleven. The training match was played at full tilt as every single player did his best to catch the manager’s eye and win a place in the team to play Real Madrid. The game was finally won by the team without bibs with goals from Sylvinho and Ronaldinho (free kick).