09.01.2011 13:15

Barça passion in the Miniestadi

Vanessa Forns

The atmosphere inside the Miniestadi on Sunday was electrifying as around 15,000 excited supporters flocked in to see the FC Barcelona players be put through their paces in an open training session.

After a thrilling return to league action the evening before, as Deportivo La Coruña were beaten 0-4, the Blaugrana stars were joined by eight players from the B side and the fans, most of whom were children, took full advantage of the chance to see their idols up close. Dressed in a huge variety of shirts and scarves of Barça colours, the crowd cheered and shouted as their favourites worked out in front of them in the unusual surroundings.

Sunday morning

The area around the Miniestadi is usually peaceful on Sunday mornings, but this weekend was different as the thousands of fans thronged outside waiting for their chance to go inside the arena and take their seats. With a midday start nobody wanted to miss out and with the sun shining in the Catalan capital spirits were high among the fans.

Football presents

Along with the placards and shouts of support from the crowd the excitement grew when the players on the pitch began to kick souvenir footballs into the stands. As people stretched to reach the balls, the players were able to read the messages of support, many of which were for the trio of Barça players, Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta and Xavi, who are the finalists for FIFA's Ballon d'Or.

Photographs and the autographs

Soon after the balls were kicked into the upper tiers of the Miniestadi, those fans at the front were treated to the site of the players approaching them and signing autographs and posing for photographs.

Celebrating goals

The players that appeared against Deportivo on Saturday only warmed up and stretched, but the rest of the squad and the youngsters participated in a game in a reduced pitch and the fans did not miss the chance to enjoy themselves as every goal was celebrated as if it were an official encounter. After an hour the players began to make their way back to the changing rooms and the fans were able to filter out and head home.