FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.05.2009 18:51

Preparing for the match ball

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The fixture list is providing Barça with a busy schedule as the first team squad have little time to rest and reflect in between matches as the league game against Villarreal ensured that attention was turned from the CL to la Primera on Friday.

After a day of rest, Josep Guardiola's players were back in training on Friday afternoon as they began to prepare for the visit of the Yellow Submarine at the weekend. The game represents the first match-ball for Barça as they could be crowned as champions on Sunday if they beat Villarreal and Real Madrid do not beat Valencia in Mestalla.

Henry absent

As the players took to the training pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training complex at 6pm, everyone was present apart from Thierry Henry. The French international was unable to play in the second leg of the Champions League semi final against Chelsea in midweek after picking up a knock on his knee in the Bernabéu last weekend.

Rafael Márquez and Gabriel Milito are the only other two players with injuries in the squad.

Good atmosphere

Depite the fact that the games are coming thick and fast, the atmosphere at the training ground was relaxed as the team were able to meet up again in the knowledge that they had qualified for the Champions League final in Rome later this month. That has lifted the mood even higher and there was a good atmosphere all round.