The last first team training session of the week saw Pep Guardiola back in charge, absent for the two previous sessions as he was in Nyon, together with other European football managers. Due to the absentees on international duty, it was again a joint session with the reserves, who on Sunday (18.00) are away at Cartagena.

Five 'available' first team players

So, without the 14 players who are with their national teams, pitch number 2 of the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper saw five first team players take part: Fontàs, Pinto, Maxwell, Puyol, and Afellay, the last three without medical clearance. The injured Gerard Pique and Adriano Correia carried on with recovery work outside the main group.

Break until Tuesday

The first team will have three days off. They won’t return to the training ground until Tuesday at 9.30. Barça’s next game is away at Real Sociedad on Saturday of next week (18.00) in the second League game of the season.