FCBARCELONA.CAT

04.02.2008 13:03

Friendlies for Barça’s internationals

www.fcbarcelona.cat

A total of 10 first team players have been called up by their national sides to play in this week’s international friendlies.

The friendlies mark the start of preparations for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland to be played this summer. There are some very attractive fixtures featuring Barça players lined up between sides that will be vying for the title.

Getting ready for Euro 2008

Iniesta, Xavi and Bojan, who has been called up for the first time, will be playing for Spain against a French side featuring Thuram, Abidal and Henry. The game, to be played in Malaga’s La Rosaleda on Wednesday, will give both sides a work-out before next summer’s Euro 2008.

In another warm up friendly Italy with Zambrotta and Portugal with Deco are going head to head in a match featuring Europe’s top two teams. The club has however asked for Deco not to play too big a part in the friendly in order not to put too much stress on his abductor muscles.

Márquez and Giovani in Houston

The two players making the longest trips are the Mexicans Márquez and Giovani, who will be turning out for their national side in a friendly against the USA in Houston.

Messi, Milito and Ronaldinho are staying put

The Argentineans Messi and Milito and the Brazilian Ronaldinho, who normally play for their national sides, will not be travelling and so will be able to devote all their time to this weekend’s League fixture at Sevilla.

Ronaldinho and Messi are both just back from injury and so haven’t been called up. Gabi Milito has not been selected for Argentina as the friendly against Guatemala will be played by the Argentine side for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Touré and Eto'o, at the African Cup of Nations

Touré Yaya and Samuel Eto'o are still playing in the African Cup of Nations with their national sides. Touré and the Ivory Coast are already through to the semi-finals of the tournament where they will meet up with hosts Ghana. Cameroon, for whom Eto'o has already notched 5 goals, are playing their quarter-final match with Tunisia today.