Preseason gets underway

 
Fifteen first team players and seven from Barça B have come back to work this Monday morning to start preseason 08/09.
The new Barça managed by Pep Guardiola is up and running. Twenty two players (fifteen first teamers and seven reserves) came to the Camp Nou early this morning to do their medical tests before the preseason starts.

Faith in the reserves

Guardiola has called up seven of the Barça Atlétic players with which he gained promotion to Second Division B last season to start the preseason with the first team. They are David Córcoles, Víctor Vázquez, Víctor Sánchez, Sergi Busquets, Jeffren, Abraham and Pedrito.

Back in harness

After eight weeks of no training, Barça’s players have got back to work this Monday after their holidays. The main goal of the preseason programme is to make sure the team is in good shape for the Champions League qualifying round.

New faces

As usual this Monday has been a day for meeting up with old friends but also with some new faces, namely Piqué and Cáceres. This has been the first contact for these two players with their new colleagues on their first day at Barça and they have fitted in well to the welcoming atmosphere. Barça’s other two signings, Keita and Alves, will make their appearance on the 19th.

More players as week progresses

Some Barça players will be coming back over the next few days due to Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 qualifying games, though Abidal and Henry have returned after France failed to get out of the group stages. The three European Championship winners, Xavi, Puyol and Iniesta, are set to return on the 23rd at 9 am. Messi will be back tomorrow Tuesday, while Keita, Alves and Eto'o will make their appearance on the 19th.