FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.03.2010 12:19

Snow causes change of plans

Sandra Sarmiento / Vanessa Forns

There is still snow at the Ciutat Esportiva, and on Monday, Barça trained on artificial pitch number 6, as the others are all covered in snow. Henry, with Achilles tendon problems, was not involved.

Like in most of Catalonia, the snow is still causing problems, and the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper was no exception. The players moved from their usual pitch number 1 to the artificial surface of pitch 6, surrounded by an unusually wintry landscape for this part of the world.

Fun and games

The players got there in foot, which provided a jolly image of the players enjoying an impromptu snowball fight. Piqué led the japes, and one of the most popular victims was materials manager Gabriel Galán. Many of the players were dressed warmly for the occasion, but not Chygrynskiy, Márquez, Busquets, Xavi or Pedro, all of whom braved the temperatures in shorts.

Henry gets treatment

On Monday it was Dani Alves and Lionel Messi who stayed in the treatment room, but they were back to normal on Tuesday. But Thierry Henry, because of an Achilles problem in his left foot, sat the session out. Josep Guardiola also brought on board reserve player Marc Muniesa.

To help get used to the cold temperatures, the players started with some vigorous running and then did an exercise in pairs with ropes, in which the leader had to try to run forward and the player behind tried to stop him from doing so by tugging in the rope.

Puyol leaves early

Carles Puyol left training early with back bother, although it doesn’t look like a serious problem, and he was able to continue working out in the dressing rooms.

Visits

The session was also watched by a Swedish ladies team, Kalmar FF, as well as team that is here to make an advert for FC Barcelona’s official sponsor, Turkish Airlines.