FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.02.2008 19:29

Team still short of players

Berta Brau / Jordi Clos

Just nine players were available for training on Thursday although the international stars are gradually returning from their midweek commitments.

With little more than 48 hours to go before the vital clash with Sevilla, no fewer than eight players were still absent from training on Thursday afternoon. The nine players present at the La Masía training grounds were Milito, Oleguer, Xavi, Valdés, Edmílson, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Messi and Ronaldinho.

Circuit training

Iniesta exercised apart from the group with one of the fitness coaches and concentrated on recovery exercises after his efforts for Spain against France in Malaga. The rest of the players started off with ball control exercises before moving on to strength and speed exercises. Xavi, who also featured for Spain on Wednesday evening, then returned to the dressing rooms. The remaining players did some more circuits with the ball while Valdés worked together with goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué.

Absent

A number of players were unable to train due to a variety of injury or sickness problems. Zambrotta suffered a muscle injury in his right leg in Italy’s friendly against Portugal while Bojan is still suffering from gastroenteritis. Both players are certain to miss the Sevilla game. Meanwhile, Henry, Abidal, Thuram and Deco all underwent special recovery treatment after picking up a variety of knocks in their international matches. Sylvinho and Pinto exercised in the gym though the Brazilian defender also did some exercises on the Camp Nou pitch.