29.07.2010 10:18

Barça 2010/11 starts in Norway

Jordi Clos

FC Barcelona will play their first game of the preseason in Oslo tonight (19.00) against Valerenga. Guardiola has eight first team players in the side.

The time has come. The medicals over, and also the first training sessions, now it’s time to get on the pitch. Barça 2010/11 gets going tonight in Oslo with a friendly against Valerenga.

They travelled this morning and return straight after the match, the first of three before the Spanish Super Cup. After that comes the two-match Asian tour, which begins on Sunday.

Mainly B players

Pep Guardiola will not be using any of the players that appeared in the World Cup. So, only eight normal first team players are in the squad: Pinto, Adriano, Milito, Maxwell, Víctor Sánchez, Keita, Bojan and Ibrahimovic. It being Scandinavia, many eyes will be on the Swedish striker. Jeffren misses the game with a knee injury, and Hleb has also been left out.

So, 14 reserve players have been added to the mix, all of whom have been training with the first team for several days.

Great expectation

There is much excitement surround the Barcelona visit to the Norwegian capital. A huge crowd is expected against a team that is at the height of its own league season. After 18 games, Valerenga are six points behind top placed Rosenborg. Martin Andresen’s side is unbeaten at home, and will be looking to impress against Barça.