FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.09.2008 11:21

Five B-teamers step up

Berta Brau

FC Barcelona's first team squad returned to work on Wednesday after a day off and included youth team players Víctor Vázquez, Córcoles, Xavi Torres, Longás and Goran Maric to make up the numbers.

Pep Guardiola alled up the five players from the B team due to the absence of several first teamers who have been called up to their international squads for the forthcoming round of World Cup qualifiers. Dani Alves, Víctor Valdés, José Manuel Pinto, Sulvinho and Víctor Sánchez were the only five regulars in attendance and they joined the other quintet for the session that began at 9.30am on the pitch in front of La Masia.

Maric and Longás

Goran Maric and Antonio Longás, two new Barça Atlètic signings, also joined the first team to work alongside them for the first time since making their debuts against Santa Eulàlia last weekend.

After spending two seasons in the Blaugrana junior teams when he was younger, Maric has returned to the club after being signed from Celta Vigo. Between 1999 and 2001 the Serbian forward played n the Cadet and Cadete A and Juvenil B sides.

Longás is a midfielder who has been signed from Real Zaragoza after impressing during a loan season at Tenerife last term where he won many plaudits for his displays in the centre of the pitch.

Torres, Córcoles and Vázquez

David Córcoles and Víctor Vázquez were also present to be coach by Guardiola after they already tasted life at the top during pre-season. Xavi Torres, despite not having been called up before this term, has previously played for the first team in a Copa Catalunya encounter.