FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.03.2007 12:30

Training match in the Miniestadi

Eto'o returned from international duty today, while most of the squad was involved in a game played in the Miniestadi between the first team and a combination of Barça B and C players. Valdés and Rubén Martínez, meanwhile, worked out in La Masia.

Frank Rijkaard’s squad, with most of the internationals still away, faced a team made up of Barça B and C players in the Miniestadi this morning. The first team won 2-0 thanks to goals from Motta and Saviola. Valdés and Rubén, however, trained separately in La Masia, while Eto'o and Deco were in the gym.

Specific programmes

Samuel Eto'o was recovering from his appearance for Cameroon last Saturday against Liberia. Deco, who is still taking things easy following an injury to his right hand, also came by the Camp Nou to continue his own particular fitness programme. Víctor Valdés was joined by B team keeper Rubén Martínez at La Masía. The only player, other than the internationals, to be missing today was Santi Ezquerro, who has a small back problem.

The teams

The red team in the Miniestadi encounter mainly featured first team players, namely Jorquera, Belletti, Olmo, Oleguer, Sylvinho, Motta, Edmílson, Giuly, Messi, Saviola and Pedro García. The side they faced lined up with Urko, Víctor Besada, Alfred, Fran, Alex, Lluís Sastre, Dimas, Víctor Vázquez, Toni Calvo, Jordi Gómez, Toni Calvo and Thaer. Other reserve team players, including Sito, Crosas, Julio, Jaime, Yago and Busquets got their chances later on in the match.

The goals

Motta and Saviola scored the only goals of the game. To get the first, the midfielder struck a pinpoint free kick just inside the post, while the second goal came from a delightful pass into space from Edmílson, followed by a clever link-up between fellow Argentinians Messi and Saviola. But the B and C players did not disappoint, and enjoyed a few chances of their own, including a terrific move from Sito Riera that Thaer was unable to finish off.