FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.12.2008 11:40

Preparations for el Clásico begin

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The Barça first team returned to training on Wednesday, the day after tasting defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, and began to prepare for the visit of Real Madrid. Aliaksandr Hleb was the only absentee with a fever.

Pep Guardiola’s squad are now focussed on the next league game on Saturday when Los Merengues visit Camp Nou for el Clásico. As is the norm in the days after a game, the players have trained behind closed doors on the pitch in front of La Masia.

Hleb has a fever

Hleb was the main absentee from the training as the Belorusian midfielder has a fever after playing against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday evening and reported to club medics for some antibiotics. Andrés Iniesta also did not train as he continues his recovery from injury.

Eight back

After leaving out eight players from the game in midweek - Messi, Márquez, Touré, Alves, Puyol, Xavi, Eto'o and Valdés – all of them reported for training on Wednesday and were present on La Masia pitch. While the players that played against Shakhtar did the usual post-match warm down and stretching, while the rest of the squad enjoyed a normal session.