FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.08.2009 10:35

24 available to push for first trophy

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The FC Barcelona first team started work early to avoid the heat. The one-hour training session started at 9.00 and lasted an hour.

No fewer than 26 players were at Josep Guardiola’s orders. Like on Friday, five of those were from the reserve team, and the venue was the Ciudad Deportiva. The challenge on everybody’s mind is the Spanish Super Cup return leg at the Camp Nou on Sunday (22.00, TVE and R@dio Barça).

24 available

Guardiola has named 24 players for selection, and will not announce his definitive squad until shortly before kick off. Only Márquez and Iniesta, with fitness problems, are not ready to take part, as the manager had already stated a few days ago.

FC Barcelona won 2-1 at San Mamés in the first leg, meaning Athletic Club will need to win by two clear goals to take the title, or otherwise win 3-2, 4-3, 5-4 or so on.

Oier returns

Like on Friday, Barça Atlètic keeper Oier Olazábal also trained with the first team. The Basque stopper was coached by Juan Carlos Unzué along with the regular first team goalkeepers.