The team trained at the Ciutat Esportiva, with the players involved in last night’s game doing warm down exercises
Adriano, Iniesta and Messi did some specific exercises, whilst Abidal trained apart from the rest of the squad
Verón attends training
The Argentinean Juan Sebastián Verón was a spectator at this morning’s session. Three years ago, Veron played for Estudiantes de La Plata in the final of the World Club Cup , when Pedro and Messi gave Barça their first ever world title.
The first team squad began this year’s last week of training before the Christmas break with their attention fixed on winning the last league game of the year, on Saturday evening away to Valladolid. Following the big win against Atletico Madrid which gave them a nine-point cushion at the top of the table, the team were back in training this morning. Whilst the rest of the players who figured on Sunday night had a session focussed on warming down and recovering from their exertions against Atletico Madrid, Adriano, Iniesta and Messi, worked on specific areas and Abidal trained apart. In addition, the Barça B youngsters Tello, Roman, Sergi Gómez, Balliu, Araujo, Ié, Dongou, Miguel Ángel, Espinosa, Quintillà, Ilie and Oier were also at the session.
Three more sessions ahead of Valladolid game
The players will have a rest day on Tuesday and be back at the Ciutat Esportiva on Wednesday evening at six o’clock, when the first 15 minutes will be open to the media. On Thursday and Friday, Tito Vilanova will put the finishing touches to the preparation for the Valladolid game behind closed doors, with Thursday’s session beginning at eleven in the morning and Friday’s at five in the evening. An hour before Friday’s session at four o’clock, Tito Vilanova will have a press conference at the training ground.
Squad travel on Friday
The final league game of 2012 kicks off on Saturday at six in the evening and the team will travel to Valladolid on Friday after the training session.