FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.10.2008 11:58

Together with Barça Atlètic

Berta Brau / Vanessa Forns

After a two-day break, Barça returned to training on Tuesday. With 18 players away on international duty, there were just five first team players at the Ciudad Deportiva, and they were joined by members of Barça Atlètic.

The Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper was the venue for the first training session to be held by Pep Guardiola since the 6-1 win over Atlético Madrid on Saturday at the Camp Nou, although it was an unusual session, because almost the entire side is away with their respective national teams.

As for Barça Atlètic, apart from injuries, the only missing players were Gai Assulin, who is away with the Israeli Under 21 squad, and Córcoles, who worked out in isolation with a fitness coach in the Ciudad Deportiva.

Luis Enrique in charge

So with only five regular first team players available (Víctor Valdés, José Manuel Pinto, Albert Jorquera, Sylvinho and Víctor Sánchez) the staff decided to hold a joint session mixing the first team and Barça Atlètic. And although the first team staff were in attendance, the session was mainly run by reserve team coach Luis Enrique.

Goalkeepers apart

After the usual warm ups and drills, the outfield players and the goalkeepers worked separately, Juan Carlos Unzué and Carles Busquets working with the latter. The rest of the group did exercises based on controlling the ball in movement.