FC Barcelona landed in Hellenic climes at midday today, and on their first visit to the Greek capital in five years, the objective is to secure second round qualification.
The 20 players Guardiola has taken to face Panathinaikos on Wednesday night were welcomed by warm
22 degree temperatures.
Rosell at the helm
The squad are also being joined by president, Sandro Rosell, as well as
the vice president for the Sports Area, Josep Maria Bartomeu, directors Carles Vilarrubí, Pilar
Guinovart, Ramon Pont and Silvio Elías and the sports director for professional football, Andoni
Zubizarreta, who spoke to the press shortly before taking the flight. Some 60 supporters were among
the 185 passengers on board.
New kit
The Barça players are taking with them a new tracksuit featuring yellow tops and
black bottoms.
Evening session at OAKA
The players will train at the match venue, the OAKA, at 19.30 local time. Three
quarters of an hour before that, Josep Guardiola and midfielder Sergio Busquets will be talking to
the press.
To view this content you need the latest version of the Flash Player
The last time Barcelona were in Greece was October 18, 2005, for the third match in the UCL group
stages, and also with Panathinaikos as the opposition. The game ended 0-0. Only five of the team
that night are still at FCB, namely Valdés, Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta and Messi. That was the season
that Barça went on to claim their second Champions League in Paris.