30.01.2011 16:49

A week with the Cup final at stake

Barça look ahead now to another busy week of footballing action including the chance to reach the final of the Spanish Cup on Wednesday. Then, on Saturday they welcome Atletico Madrid to the Camp Nou for a thrilling league clash.

Following on from their 0-3 defeat of Hercules and a one-day break on Sunday, Josep Guardiola’s men return to training on Monday with Wednesday’s Cup semi-final second leg match very much the focus. Just three days later they return to the league programme against Atletico Madrid in the Camp Nou.

First up the Cup

The squad will train at 11 am on Monday and Tuesday at the Club’s Joan Gamper training facilities. After the session on Tuesday, Josep Guardiola will give a press conference prior to Wednesday’s match against Almeria.

Wednesday to Almeria

The players are due to set off from Barcelona for Almeria at 9.45 am on the day of the match (kick-off 8 pm). With a 5-0 lead from the first leg, Barça have an excellent chance of making it through to the final.

Focus on the league from Thursday

Whatever happens on Wednesday evening, the players will have no time to reflect as they train again on Thursday morning at 11 o’clock at the Joan Gamper training grounds. This time the emphasis will be on recovering from their efforts on Wednesday evening and re-sighting their focus on the league – and in particular the game against Atletico on Saturday.

Evening session

On Friday, the training session will be held at 6 pm at the Club’s training grounds. Guardiola will also give the usual pre-match press conference.

Last session before Atletico match

As usual on match days in the Camp Nou, the players will have a final training session at midday (12.30) in the stadium itself. They will then have lunch together after which they’ll have a few hours free before they meet up again in the Camp Nou at about 8.15 pm. The match against Atletico Madrid kicks off at 10 pm.