FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.03.2010 11:59

Monday Training Focuses on Stuttgart

Anna Segura

The squad trained on Monday morning with the focus very much on Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Stuttgart.

The players were back at work on Monday morning after the shortest of breaks to enjoy the victory against Valencia. On Wednesday, they play the second leg of their CL R16 tie against Stuttgart with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.

Recovery exercises

The players that took part in the match against Valencia concentrated on recovery exercises while the rest of the squad went through a tougher routine.

Meanwhile, Carles Puyol, who was a last-minute back injury victim at the weekend, worked out separately from the group. The team captain arrived early for the session and got straight down to recovery work.

Muniesa, Oier and Vázquez

The rest of the squad trained at 100%, including Keita, who despite not being declared fully fit by Club doctors was able to train normally. Guardiola included reserve squad players Oier and Victor Vázquez in the session together with Muniesa, who was also named in Saturday’s squad.

Champions League Tuesday

Today’s session featured the same match ball that will be used against Stuttgart. The players will also have the chance to test the ball on Tuesday, when they will train in the Camp Nou at 6 pm. At 5.15 pm Sergio Busquets and manager Josep Guardiola will speak to reporters.

The plan for the week

Following the pattern established for all Barça’s CL matches, the team will stay at the Hotel La Florida from Tuesday evening until the match. At 12 noon on Wednesday they’ll have a light training session in the Camp Nou.

After Wednesday’s European encounter, the focus will switch to Sunday’s league match against Zaragoza. The players will have three days to prepare the game, the training sessions all taking place at 11 am.