FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.08.2009 14:16

Squad aim for full fitness on Monday

www.fcbarcelona.cat

After Friday night’s European Super Cup victory, there was little time for celebration for the squad who were back in training at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper this lunchtime.

Barca kick off their defence of the Spanish League title this week and even though they’d just conquered the third European Super Cup in the club’s history, the squad were quick to turn their attention to the next job in hand – Sporting Gijon at the Nou Camp on Monday. The players went to train straight from the airport, with Leo Messi the only member missing, having been given permission by the club to fly to Argentina to join the national squad.

“Tough Game”

The squad arrived at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper at about 13.15 and the session was dedicated to warming down the players after Friday evening’s exertions, which had undoubtedly taken their toll. Guardiola himself reckoned the game had been: “terribly tough” and the high humidity and poor state of the pitch will certainly have left their mark on the players.

120 minutes

With the game also going into extra time, it’s not too surprising that Guardiola ordered a relatively light training session for his squad as he attempts to get them back up to their best for Monday’s game against Sporting.