FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.02.2010 19:59

Xavi, Alves and Ibra train with squad

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Xavi and Alves have made the trip to Stuttgart despite not having the medical green light. However, both players, together with the Ibra, took a full part in Monday evening’s training session.

The 20 players named by Guardiola for Tuesday’s Champions League match had their first contact with the Stuttgart stadium and pitch on Monday evening. This was their final training session before the match.

Xavi, Ibra and Alves

One of the main talking points was the fitness of Ibrahimovic, Alves and Xavi. The Swedish striker was rested for the Racing game to protect his right ankle and is ready to return. Meanwhile, Xavi and Alves have still not been declared fit by Club doctors but got through this evening’s session without difficulties and could well be available, as Guardiola himself confirmed at his press conference.

Stadium building work

The Stuttgart stadium has been undergoing building work since the summer, designed to remove the athletics track and increase the capacity to 55,000 spectators at Champions League matches. However, part of the stadium cannot be used at the moment so the capacity for the match against Barça has been restricted to 40,000.