FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.01.2009 12:04

First team moves into new Ciudad Deportiva training venue

Marc Gullén / Jordi Clos

The football first team has been working this Monday morning in Sant Joan Despí, which from now on will be the usual venue for their training sessions. Twenty-three players were put through their paces under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff.

This Monday Barça has taken up residence for training purposes at the club’s Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper sports complex. This state-of-the-art facility is in Sant Joan Despí just to the south of Barcelona, and from now on will be the venue for first-team training sessions. Today the players have been using pitch 1, which at 10,000 square metres is the same size as the one at Camp Nou and also features an additional area where the side can do their physical exercises.

23 players

After a day off, Pep Guardiola has been able to start getting ready for Wednesday’s King’s Cup clash with Espanyol with his full squad save for the injured Gaby Milito. Before beginning the session, the team wished Guardiola, who was 38 on Sunday, a happy birthday. The coach then took part in the initial keep-ball sessions.

Technical Secretary Txiki Begiristain was also at the session and supervised the operation of the Ciudad Deportiva.