FCBARCELONA.CAT

13.04.2007 12:02

Coordination and pressurising at La Masia

The squad of FC Barcelona continue preparations ahead of Sunday’s league match with Mallorca. With the exception of Motta and Ronaldinho, who trained at the gym, Rikjaard’s men worked on pressurising drills again this Friday.

The first team squad trained on Friday morning under intermittent rain at La Masia pitch. The Barça players once more concentrated on pressurising opponents among other aspects in the build-up to Sunday’s clash with Mallorca.

Return to La Masia

With the exception of Thiago Motta and Ronaldinho - who trained at the gym – the squad underwent the second last training session ahead of the clash with the team for the Balearic Islands. After training on Thursday at the Miniestadi, Rikjaard’s team this time trained at La Masia pitch.

Coordination exercises

After the warm-up and the usual circuits, the players - under the guidance of the physical trainers - carried out a series of coordination style exercises. The aim of which was to try and coordinate movements and synergies.

Pressurising again

Once finalised the coordination exercises the players continued working on one of the basic aspects that has been a priority this week: pressurising. On this occasion the squad was divided into two teams of nine players. During the exercise the goalkeepers continued their own physical preparation separately together with Juan Carlos Unzué.

Eto’o and Thuram, back to normal

The team in blue bibs was made up of Zambrotta, Iniesta, Puyol, Gudjohnsen, Márquez, Ezquerro, Thuram, Saviola and Gio, while the yellow bibs were worn by were Messi, Sylvinho, Oleguer, Belletti, Xavi, Edmílson, Deco, Eto’o and Giuly. For the second consecutive day both Eto’o and Thuram trained normally.

Attacks with numeric superiority

In the exercise involving teams of nine players, the objective was to work on pressurising through a defence-attack drill with numeric superiority. Five players from one team attacked while three from the other team defended. At the end of the exercise the goalkeepers re-joined the rest of their team mates.