FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.12.2009 11:09

Training next to the beach

Roger Bogunyà / Anna Segura

FC Barcelona trained on the beach next to their hotel on Thursday as they looked ahead to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup with only Lionel Messi, Gerard Piqué and Seydou Keita not present.

Coach Pep Guardiola put the players started the game against Atlante the evening before through a gentle warm-down routine.

Starting side

Iniesta was the only player who started the match in midweek unable to train as he picked up a knock, Messi and Piqué, both of whom came off the bench, as well as Keita did not participate. Bojan Krkic joined the rest of the squad in the Army Stadium to train.

Grass and sand

There was a stark contrast in one of the images of the day as the players trained on a small pitch next to the beach and the green grass stood out next to the huge swathe of white sand beyond.

Good atmosphere

There was a good atmosphere among the 13 players as the focus remained on winning the club's sixth major trophy of the calendar year. The only downside is the news that Iniesta's injury looks set to rule him out of the final.

Fun and games

When training due to a close not all the players were keen to leave and Messi and Dani Alves stayed behind to play some volleyball with their feet which then saw them joined by Pedro and Sergio Busquets.

Messi then started a game of penalties with Piqué as one stood on the sand and the other was in the pool. The sharp-shooting showed that the Argentinian's injury is almost gone.