The FC Barcelona first team was back at training today, 51 days after the final at Wembley. There were 15 players involved in the first session of the season.
The medical revisions out of the way, the FC Barcelona players grouped at the Ciutat Esportiva de
Sant Joan Despí. The 14 first team players were joined by Jonathan Dos Santos of Barça B. Xavi,
Puyol, Bojan and the South Americans were the only players missing.
Xavi on his own
Carles Puyol, who underwent an operation on June 1, will be concentrating on recovery work
this week by recommendation of doctor Ricard Pruna. Xavi also did individual work and didn’t
appear on the field. Bojan had special permission not to be present, while Milito, Mascherano,
Messi, Adriano and Alves are away at the Copa America, although both of their respective teams were
knocked out this weekend. This was the first training session for Fontàs and Thiago as fully
fledged first team members.
Unzué back
There were also changes in the coaching staff. Juan Carlos Unzué, who was goalkeepers coach
from 2003 to 2010 and manager of Numancia last season, has returned to the former job. His place
was taken by Carles Busquets while he was away, who has now gone back to coaching the Barça B
keepers.
Two sessions on Tuesday
The first team will train twice on Tuesday, first at 9.30 and second at 19.00. After the
morning session, Josep Guardiola will be giving his first press conference of the 2011/12 season.