FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.10.2008 11:49

Gudjohnsen and Pedro join the squad

David Puig / Vanessa Forns

Eidur Gudjohnsen and Pedro were able to train at the same level as the rest of the players that did not travel to Benidorm on Tuesday took to the pitch in front of La Masia for a session.

While the majority of the first team squad travelled south to play in the first leg of the Copa del Rey encounter, seven players trained on the pitch in the Camp Nou complex as the rain poured down. Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Víctor Valdés and Rafa Márquez have all been given a break by coach Pep Guardiola. Gudjohnsen and Pedro joined them under the supervision of three physical trainers.

Physical start

Carles Puyol was due to be part of the group training in Barcelona, but in the end he was called into the squad after Thierry Henry had to pull out with gastric problems. After the usual warm-ups and ball games, the group was put through their paces with a physical circuit that involved that jumping over and running around different obstacles, while Valdés worked away from the group.

Co-ordination and pressure

The next circuit saw the players paired up with Messi and Pedro, Gudjohnsen and Pmárquez and Iniesta and Xavi together for a set of exercises with a ball to improve co-ordination and pressurising. After a set of passing games between the players, the last few minutes on the pitch were spent doing a circuit that saw the players go through a course before ending with a shot at goal.