17.02.2009 18:55
Preparations under way for the derby
www.fcbarcelona.cat
The first team returned to training today after a two-day break. It was the first session of a week that will culminate with the derby against Espanyol.
After taking Sunday and Monday off, Josep Guardiola’s side laced up their boots again on
Tuesday at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper. Things may be slow this week, but there won’t be
too much time for rest in the not so distant future, with seven games in just three weeks. And it
all starts with Saturday’s city derby against Espanyol at the Camp Nou (20.00).
Meeting and exercise
Before the session, Josep Guardiola grouped his players in
the centre of the park for a team-talk. This lasted several minutes, and then it was time to get
physical.
Puyol alone
Only the first quarter of an hour was open to the media, during which time Carles Puyol
worked in isolation. The Catalan defender missed the game with Betis after failing to recover from
a groin stain in time.