FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.03.2008 14:16

Barça players on international duty

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A total of nine first team players, now that Henry is out, are away on international duty this week. Here we take a look at the games with Barça involvement.

All the Barça internationals, except for Under 21 player Bojan, have international friendlies this week as their national sides prepare for official competitions.

Barça head to head

Spain, with Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta, meet Italy on Wednesday, the current world champions, and whose squad includes Zambrotta. The game is being played at the Martínez Valero in Elche and will serve as excellent preparation for Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria.

Thrilling France v England

Abidal and Thuram, but not the injured Henry, will both be in the side coached by Raymond Domenech that faces England on Wednesday at the Stade de France. The ‘bleus' are fine tuning affairs ahead of Euro 2008, but England, under new manager Fabio Capello, are in full restructuring mode after failing to make the finals of Europe’s biggest international competition.

Non-Euro 2008 friendly

Iceland, with Gudjohnsen, have a friendly against Slovakia, though neither of these sides are involved in this summer’s tournament and will instead be thinking ahead to the World Cup qualifiers that start early next season, with the sides looking to go to South Africa in 2010.

Milito and debut for Gai

Argentinian Milito is off with his side to Cairo, where Alfio Basile and co have a game with the current African champions, Egypt.

Young Gai Assulin, a member of Barça B, may make his Israel debut in a game on Wednesday against Chile. Although he has yet to make his Barcelona first team debut, 16 year old Gai Assulin has attracted the interest of national coach Dror Kashtan.