Frank Rijkaard's squad enjoyed their first training session back in Barcelona after returning from their trip to Scotland and preparations began for the tour to the Far East.
Having spent six days in St. Andrews, the FC Barcelona players were back on the pitch in front of La Masia after being given a day off and the stars were watched by a large number of supporters as they were put through their paces.

Carles Puyol and Edmílson were still sidelined through injury and Leo Messi, Rafa Márquez and Gaby Milito have yet to return from holiday.

Warming up

There was no change the to the training programme as the squad warmed up before breaking into smaller groups to do some ball work. Jesús Olmo and Marc Valiente trained separately with a physical coach as they bid to overcome knocks.

Endurance test

The first main exercise of the day was aimed at increasing endurance as the players had to continue running until receiving a signal from the coach to do some sit-ups or to carry out a quick sprint, before returning to a slower pace and waiting for the next command.

It was a tough schedule as the session saw no let-up in the number of physical circuits designed to build stamina and rhythm, but a football was present throughout.

End game

Training ended with a full size game between the squad. On one team were Juliano Belletti, Marc Crosas, Éric Abidal, Thiago Motta, Deco, Dimas, Maxi, Giovani Dos Santos, Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkic. On the opposing side were Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram, Oleguer, Sylvinho, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Touré Yaya, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Santi Ezquerro. The three goalkeepers, Víctor Valdés, Albert Jorquera and Oier Olazábal continued to alternate between the teams.

 
FC Barcelona's first team enjoyed the second of their five training sessions before they set off on the tour of the Far East and, once again, the focus was on physical preparation.
Frank Rijkaard's squad were put through another intense session as they count down towards Thursday's flight to China, which will kick off the trip that lasts until August 11. Training on Tuesday was hard work, but with a ball always present the players were able to focus on that.

Following the usual wram-up routines and ball exercises, which were carried out in three groups, the squad underwent some exercises designed to improve ball control, while at the same time building their strength in pairs. The same players that travelled to Scotland last week were all present, with the exception of Dimas Delgado, who was given permission to miss the session.

Valiente and Olmo

Marc Valiente was in action, despite carrying a slight strain in his left leg, and he joined in throughout, while Jesús Olmo continued to work away from the main group on his personalised recovery programme.

Intensive training

Following the ball work, the squad tried a new exercise as they were put through a physical circuit individually that involved running and jumping before culminating in a shot at goal. Víctor Valdés, Albert Jorquera and Oier Olazábal took turns to repel the efforts between the sticks. This routine took up the majority of the session, leaving just enough time for the players to warm down with a few stretches.

 
Eidur Gudjohnsen will not participate in FC Barcelona's tour of the Far East and will stay at Camp Nou along with Carles Puyol and Edmílson as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
The Icelandic international has been left out of the tour party by coach Frank Rijkaard in order to allow the forward to continue working on his recovery programme. Gudjohnsen has had the knee problem since last season and has already missed out on the trip to Scotland, as did fellow injury victims Puyol and Edmílson.

Also missing

As well as being without Gudjohnsen, Puyol and Edmílson, Rijkaard will also not have the services of Lionel Messi, Rafa Márquez and Gaby Milito in Asia as the trio will begin pre-season training in Catalunya after returning from holiday.

 
Thiago Motta is determined to focus on preparing to be ready for the new season, whether he is playing for FC Barcelona or another club.
The Brazilian-Italian midfielder recognised that his future is still unresolved: "At the moment I have talked with Barça once and there has been no news," he said. "Firstly I have to resolve things with Txiki (Begiristain) and then I can talk to other clubs."

Working hard

The 24-year-old, who rose through the ranks at Barça, has been included in the squad throughout pre-season: "The coach has talked to me and has asked me to continue working hard," he explained. "I am sure that if I continue working hard then one day I will be seen as a great player."

"I have come to the conclusion that I want to be given a free transfer to allow me to search for a new club," he continued. Begiristain though is keen for Motta's agent to negotiate his departure, but does not want to stand in the player's way.

Interested parties

Motta is a wanted man and has already heard about some the clubs who are interested in him. "Milan and Zaragoza are great clubs and is obvious that I cannot discard either," he said. The defensive midfielder has been unsettled by Begiristain's statements about the enquiries being made. "Every case is different, but I am surprised that Txiki has said publicly that they do not want me. That only obstructs my ability to negotiate with other clubs."

Making mistakes

Reflecting on his time in the Barça first team, Motta admits that he knows that he has made mistakes. "I have made some errors," he continued. "For example, some of the red card I have been given or the day that I did not turn up for training, but as for everything else I believe I can have a clear conscience."

 
Lilian Thuram believes that the physical work that the FC Barcelona squad are currently doing in training will be crucial during what promises to be a long season.
The 35-year-old knows from experience that pre-season is never easy and thinks that it should not be as he has joined the rest of the players during the first couple of weeks of preparation.

"Training is very important to play football," he said. "Now technical ability is also crucial, but the physical side is still vital too. Training is hard now, but that is normal. We are in pre-season and you have to push yourself to be fit for the whole year." Thuram would rather train than travel, but he recognises that trips, like the forthcoming tour of Asia, are all part of the modern game. "I do not think it is possibly the best way for the team to prepare," he continued. "But that is how football is and all the big clubs do it nowadays."

Milito’s arrival

This season Thuram will face increased competition for a place in the Barça side following the arrival of Gaby Milito from Real Zaragoza. But the former Juve star does not see the new signings as a challenge to his chances of playing. "He is a great player and plays for his international side, but it will not change anything for me personally."

French fancy

Among the current Barça squad are three current French internationals, the first time ever that the club has had that many at any one time. Given his experience at every level, Thuram is a reference for the new arrivals, Thierry Henry and Éric Abidal as well as French-speaking Touré Yaya, and he is pleased to be able to show them the ropes. "The three of them all speak French for them it is good that they came together," he said. "In the dressing room they have no problems and all of them are delighted to be playing for Barça. Having them all here is justified because they will all bring something to the team."

Reflecting on Henry's arrival, Thuram added: "He is very happy. He has been linked with Barcelona for a long time and now he is happy to finally be here. After many years at Arsenal he has enjoyed changing clubs. It is not for him to be able to improve, because that is not possible, but so that he can learn."

On Giovani

At the opposite end of the spectrum from Thuram is 18-year-old Giovani Dos Santos, who is just beginning his career. A Mexican journalist asked the French defender what he thought about the youngster. "Dos Santos is a very good young players," he explained. "I expect him to become a great player. He has a lot to learn and has a positive attitude and that is the best thing."

 
Joan Laporta has stated his desire for Bojan Krkic to travel with the FC Barcelona first team squad on the tour of the Far East that begins on Thursday.
The Blaugrana president is hopeful that the 16-year-old can continue learning under Frank Rijkaard rather than have to report for a preparation phase with the Spanish Under-17 squad ahead of the World Championships. "FC Barcelona will be doing everything we can so that Bojan continues his progress with the first team," he explained.

Conscious of the rules

Despite his hope, Laporta recognised that "there are rules that must be complied with" and that if Bjoan is selected by the Under-17 squad than he will have to go. The president added that "there are three players in the same situation" as Bojan and therefore understands "the difficulty that the coach faces" as to whether to name them in the squad or not.

Laporta excited

Krkic's form has also impressed Laporta as he said that "he is player that excites you" and we have "great expectations" of him. The president believes that the youngster's place in the squad is "a reality" and now he must continue to grow.

Deco is not sold

Following recent speculation in the media, Laporta was, once again, forced to reiterate that Deco is not for sale. "We are convinced that he can contribute a lot to the team this season," he stated.

 
Three of FC Barcelona's summer signings have enjoyed their first two appearances in the Blaugrana colours after being part of the highly successful trip to Scotland last week.
Frank Rijkaard's side have made a good start to the pre-season campaign, but beyond the two victories the coach will have been encouraged by the way that Thierry Henry, Éric Abidal and Yaya Touré have adapted so quickly to their new surroundings.

Thierry Henry: Two halves and a goal

Henry made his debut for the club as he came on at the start of the second half against Dundee United at Tannadice last Thursday. The French forward replaced Samuel Eto'o and did not take long to show what can be expected of him as he created two good chances. After impressing throughout the 45 minutes, it was right at the end that Henry capped his performance with a goal. After having his penalty saved, the former Arsenal star was able to tap in the rebound and celebrate his first strike and the winning effort in the game.

Rijkaard chose to introduce Henry in the second half against Hearts too, on Saturday, as he replaced Santi Ezquerro in the Barça forward line. On that occasion he was unable to score, but he showed his capabilities up front as he set up Giovani Dos Santos for the team's third of the afternoon and linked up impressively with young Bojan Krkic.

Touré Yaya: Good run out

The Ivory Coast international has enjoyed 128 minutes of action durng the two games in Scotland. Against Dundee United Touré was named in the starting line-up and was able to show his strength and power in the defensive midfield position. Before being replaced in the 63rd minute, the former Monaco player also impressed with a range of passing.

In the second outing, against Hearts, Touré again started and played 65 minutes. The African midfielder was strong in his defensive duties and showed his technical ability and vision throughout.

Abidal: Impressive on the left

Éric Abidal played in the second half of both matches as he replaced Sylvinho at left-back. He was impressive attacking down the flank and did not allow any opposition player to pass him at the back. The defender was very effective and appeared to enjoy the 90 minutes that he was given over both encounters.

 
When FC Barcelona depart for Beijing to begin the first leg of their tour of the Far East on Thursday, it will not be the first time that the Blaugrana have visited China.
Football fans in Shanghai and Macao have been privileged to watch Barça play in pre-season before the 2004-05 and 2005-06 campaigns respecitvely.

Beijing and Hong Kong will be the two Chinese cities hosting FC Barcelona on this occasion as the team play two of their three games in the country during the tour, which ends on August 11. In the middle of those two games, Frank Rijkaard's squad will travel to Yokohama in Japan on August 6 and 7 to take on the Marinos in the Nissan Stadium.

Shanghai surprise

FC Barcelona visited Shanghai on the last leg of their pre-season tour ahead of the 2004-05 season. On August 8, 2004 the team played a friendly encounter against International Shaghai. It was the first time that the Catalan club had visited China and they were well received in Shanghai.

Barça won the match 0-3 in a game that saw the referee award seven yellow cards and send off Oleguer and Li Yan. Luís García scored twice and Henrik Larsson added another as the home team were over-run.

An exhibition in Macao

A year later and Barça repeated the experience as they returned to China, but this time went to Macao, the former Portuguese colony that has been converted into a focus for leisure activities.

On August 3, 2005, Rijkaard's side faced the then Chinese league champions, Shenzen Jianlibao and put on a show for the 20,000 spectators packed into the National Stadium. The Blaugrana eased to a 9-0 victory with Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o both scoring two each, while Andrés Iniesta, Larsson, Ludovic Giuly, Deco and Gio Van Bronkhorst all adding to the tally.

Two games in China

This summer Barça will play two games in China. The first is against Beijing Guoan in the Fengtai Stadium. The host club were founded in 1992 and have a Chinese Cups and two Super Cups to their name.

After playing the second game of the trip in Japan, the Blaugrana will travel back to China to play in the Hong Kong Stadium against the Mission Hills Invitation XI, team made up of Kitchee FC and Jappy Valley FC. After that final game, the squad will return to Barcelona.

 
Touré Yaya has enjoyed his first taste of life at FC Barcelona after returning from the trip to Scotland. "It is going well," he explained. "It is easy to play with the quality of players here."
The Ivory Coast international attended his first press conference in Camp Nou following the squad's first training session following their return from St. Andrews and he was probed about his adaptation to his new surroundings after joining the club from Monaco. After stating that everything was going well he added "that hard work will bear fruit".

Great players

Along with Thierry Henry and Éric Abidal, Yaya was one of the three summer signings to travel to Scotland with the squad and played the most minutes in the two games there. Those appearances have given him confidence, but the 24-year-old knows is prepared to earn his place. "There are great players at the club and the competition is strong, but if I work hard then I think I can be a regular."

Balancing act

When asked what Frank Rijkaard had asked him to do on the pitch, Yaya stated: "He wants me to create a balance between the defence and the attack. In a team like Barça, this job is vital, especially as we have so many attackng players. I must keep things on an even keel."

Great atmosphere

Yaya admits that he was surprised by certain things upon his arrival at Barça. "Definitely the quality and the generosity of my new team-mates," he explained. "Also the great atmosphere within the squad too." The powerful midfielder has been delighted to be proved right about his impressions from the outside as he knew about the talent within the Barça camp when he was at Monaco. "Barça has a great team with some incredibly talented players," he added.

Learning experience

Looking at his new team-mates, Yaya said: "Henry is a great person and I think that he helps everyone by passing on his experience." He then revealed how impressed he has been with both Bojan Krkic and Giovani Dos Santos. "If they are in the Barça first team squad then it means that they are great players and I think that they will grow and grow and have great futures ahead of them," he stated.

 
Albert Jorquera is relishing the start of the season and is keen to prove that he can be relied upon, once again, to step up to the highest level and perform. The goalkeeper has also been impressed with the level of play that the team has shown.
The 28-year-old custodian understands that his chances of dislodging Víctor Valdés from the number one spot are difficult, but is determined to ensure that the competition for a place in Frank Rijkaard's side is strong. "I will not let my head drop and resign myself to anything," he said. "I will always work hard like the coaches demand and, although I am realistic and have to believe that, from the start, things will be equal."

Laporta and Giuly

Club president, Joan Laporta, and Ludovic Giuly, who has now joined AS Roma, both visited the Barça dressing room before training on Monday and Jorquera was pleased to see them. "The visit of hte president is a tradition during pre-season," he explained. "He comes down to welcome the new players and to wish us all luck for the new season. Giuly also came in during his trip to Barcelona to privately say goodbye to us all."

Language barrier

The new signings have been made to feel at home by the squad even if the language barrier still has to be broken down. Jorquera has been particularly impressed by Thierry Henry as he said: "He is a good person, easy going and very receptive person. Despite the language problem, the truth is that he is has tried to talk to all of us."

Henry, Touré Yaya, Éric Abidal and Gaby Milito have all raised the level of competition within the squad and Jorquera believes that there will be no problems. "Last year we said that we lacked competitiveness," he stated. "Now we have a lot of quality players that have lifted us. It is now the job of the coach to choose the players that are in form. Whoever players, I believe that the level will be very high."

 
Barça have concluded their six-day stay at St. Andrews in Scotland and returned to Catalunya. The squad enjoyed an intense week of training in order to regain full fitness and they also recorded two wins from the pair of games that they played.
The players and the coaching staff have all stated how happy they were with the mini tour and praised the magnificent facilities at the Old Course Hotel, situated in St. Andrews, the home of British golf. The climate was also perfect for training after the summer heat of Barcelona and the coaches were able to push the players through all the rigorous exercises required at this stage of pre-season.

Physical work

While physical work has been the key element in the double training sessions, the ball was always involved. As well as working on strength and endurance, the range of different circuits and routines have always been made more bearable for the players by including a ball at their feet.

The club's medical team also carried out extensive tests on the squad as each player underwent substantial analysis, such as having lactic acid taken from their ears to measure fatigue levels. They also constantly monitored the heart rates of the players through measuring devices that were present in training.

Injury list

Jesús Olmo and Marc Valiente were unable to work at the same level as their team-mates due to injury. Olmo suffered a sprain during training on Tuesday, while Valiente had a hamstring problem.

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Carles Puyol and Edmílson did not travel to Scotland as they continued their recuperation programmes. The Icelandic international stayed in Barcelona with a knee injury, while Puyol and Edmílson both underwent surgery at the end of last season and have yet to be given the green light to return to action.

Two good games

The hard work put in during training was evident as Barça won both their friendly games in Scotland against Dundee United and Hearts . In both outings, the Blaugrana came up against sides that were prepared to work hard and offer them a physical battle. The games also gave coach Frank Rijkaard a chance to test a few players, including Bojan Krkic and Giovani Dos Santos, and combinations.

The team will return to work on Monday to begin the second stage of pre-season as they prepare to head to the Far East for games in China, Japan and Hong Kong.

 
Barça's squad were given a day of rest on Sunday after returning from their six-day stay in Scotland on Saturday evening, but they will not be able to relax for long as training resumes on Monday.
After the mini-tour in Scotland, Frank Rijkaard opted to allow his players a day off. The physical training in St. Andrews has been intense and a break was welcomed, but th players now face four days back at work before departing for the Far East on Thursday. At 18:30 on Monday evening, the squad will return to training on the pitch in front of La Masia, with the exception of Carles Puyol, Gaby Milito, Lionel Messi and Rafael Márquez.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Barça squad will continue working as they prepare to play games in China, Japan and Hong Kong in early August.

China next

The tour of the Asia will begin on Thursday and will last for nine days, August 3 to 11. At 13:00, the Barça party will take off on their 8,816km trip to Beijing, the capital of China. Once they arrive in the city they will have a short time to recover from jet lag. After the nine-hour journey the players will arrrive at 22:00 CET, but the local time will be 06:00 on Friday morning.

To acclimatise the players will quickly begin work according to local time and will train on Friday afternoong. On Saturday training will switch to the stadium where their first game will take place and where the Olympic Games will be held next summer.

Friendly outing

Barça's first encounter of the tour will take place on Sunday and fitness levels should be higher after another week of work on the training field. Rijkaard's team play Beijing Guoan at 20:00 local time, 12:00 CET.

 
A few hours before facing Heart of Midlothian, Thierry Henry looked ahead to his feelings about the game. Barça are set to play in front of a full house when they take on the Jambos at Murrayfield.
"Today we are playing against Hearts in the second game during our stay in Scotland. The most important thing will be that the whole squad finishes the match without incurring any injuries. If we can also win, then that would be even better. On the other hand, when I can say is that this will be a very difficult game for us.

As I said the other day, we have only been training for a week and, just like in the first game, we will be up against a side that have had more time to prepare. In general I think that will be a good game, even though I expect it to be more difficult than the one against Dundee United. Now it is great to be playing competitive matches and I hope that we see a really good game. I think that Hearts are a team that are closer to Celtic or Rangers, the two strongest sides in Scotland. They have a very good team and I believe that they came close to winning the league a couple of years ago.

I am sure that there will be a lot of people in the ground and the atmosphere will be great as people have been waiting a long time for this match, which will no doubt be a real battle in the good sense of the word. What we will have to do is to make the best of every chance that we create, like the ones that I had in the second half against Dundee United. We have to be prepared to fight and to play well. We know how well we are capable of playing and we must be ready.

I have been told that more than 53,000 tickets have been sold for the game. The atmosphere will be incredible, but I am used to playing in stadiums like this, having played in Great Britain and seen it before. It will be a really great atmosphere, not bad at all. I expect a great game and hope to win.

We are playing at Murrayfield, a stadium that traditionally holds rugby matches. But it really makes no difference whether you play in a stadium built for football, rugby or cricket. Wherever you are, the fans always sing here and it lifts everyone and creates a great atmosphere. You will be able to see that. I do not know if it is possible to create a better atmosphere than the one I think that there will be today. Maybe we will enjoy even better atmospheres during our games in China and Japan, but here when people sing and shout it is very powerful. We just have to hope we have some luck.


Thierry Henry"

 
Frank Rijkaard was impressed with his players after their victory against hearts on Saturday as he explained that "the team has played well as a unit".
The Dutchman was eager to put the collective performance over any individual displays and was positive following the 3-1 victory at Murrayfield, which came two days after the win over Dundee United. With pre-season now well under way, Rijkaard also stated that he was pleased with the way things are going. "The team made a good impression and is continuing to improve," he said.

Henry improving

Thierry Henry has impressed his new coach as Rijkaard stated that the Frenchman "is improving". "That is normal as he has not missed any of the training sessions. He will become ever stronger, as will all the players."

Praise for Bojan and Giovani

The Barça boss was also keen to talk about two of the young stars that shone in Scotland as he reflected on the performances of Bojan Krkic and Giovani Dos Santos. "They are training with the team and are now a part of the squad," he explained, before singling out Krkic by adding that "he is a real talent and has a great future ahead of him".

Back to Scotland

Asked about the squad's week-long stay in Scotland, Rijkaard stated: "The stay here has been very good and if anything was wrong I would have said so. The knows that we have worked well here and we will see what happens, but if it were up to me we would come back."

Good preparation

Coach Paco Seirul•lo told www.fcbarcelona.cat that the first week of pre-season training was the most important for the players to be ready for the new season. On that thought, Rijkaard added: "On the whole, we have worked well and everything has been great."

 
Bojan Krkic is keeping his feet on the ground even though the euphoria surrounding his progress is set to continue after he put in another impressive display in FC Barcelona's victory over Heart of Midlothian on Saturday.
Frank Rijkaard's side maintained their winning start to pre-season with a 3-1 victory at Murrayfield thanks to two goals from Ronaldinho and a strike from Giovani Dos Santos, but it was Krkic that caught the eye after coming on as a substitute at half-time. The 16-year-old's link-up play with Thierry Henry was outstanding and he is using the window that he has been given on this mini-tour to show that he is capable of stepping up.

His rise has been rapid as the player himself remembered that this time last year he "was doing pre-season training with the youth team". His evolvement has been quick, but he is not becoming over-excited: "I have had two very good year and did not expect any of this," he said. "I am very conscious of that and it is for that reason that I am staying calm and am excited by the way things are going."

Good understanding with Henry

During the game against Hearts, Krkic combined well with Henry and he had only praise for the French star: "To play up front with Henryis very easy," he continued. "When you look up he is always by your side and very easy to find. That is why he is Henry." Reflecting on his approach to playing in the first team, the youngster explained: "When I go ont to the pitch I forget everything. I am calm and I focus as hard as I can to do everything I can as well as possible and to progress gradually."

Under-17 call

Looking ahead at the possibility that he could be called up for the preparatory phase for the Under-17 World Championships, that will be played in Korea, and have to leave Barça's pre-season programme, Krkic said: "It would be a pity because I am doing well and feel comfortable. What I am interested in is continuing to grow as a player and I am doing that here. I hope all this is solved quickly."

 
Thierry Henry opened his goalscoring account in an FC Barcelona shirt on Thursday. He was delighted to get his first taste of football since being injured five months ago.
Journalists from all over Europe were present to listen to Henry and Sylvinho in today’s press conference. In a jovial atmosphere, the Frenchman was asked no fewer than 25 of the 27 questions, but Sylvinho, rather than being offended, took the whole thing in his stride and joked along with Henry. The new Barça star even answered the questions from the French media in his own language before repeating what he had said in English.

His first goal

Thierry Henry said he hopes his goal against Dundee United “will be the first of many. But what matters is not who scored the goal but that the team got a good result”. He also said he was not affected by missing a penalty, even though he did put the ball away on the rebound. “The important thing is scoring” he said. “A goal is a goal and the fact is that it was my first goal”.

5 month on sidelines

Henry has been out for five months due to injury and the summer break, so “it was very important for me to play, even though it was only a friendly. When I played, it felt like I had been with this team for ages”.

A month at Barça

It is exactly a month since he joined the club, and Henry says “the impressive thing is the unity in the squad. When I arrived they told me that this is a club, but we have to win as team”. He is settling in fine and claims “it is important to speak both Spanish and Catalan and will try to learn them as quickly as possible.” And the first sign of his progress was that he didn’t need anybody to translate any of the questions fired at him from the Barcelona-based reporters in Scotland.

Feet on the ground

Henry doesn’t like to be considered a media figure. He says it is only journalists that talk about ‘stars’, saying “I’m not. I’m normal and work for the team to win. I don’t like being called a star”.

Barça’s strike force

So can Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Henry all appear in the same eleven? Says Henry “the pitch is big, and there is room for everybody” but “that all comes down to the manager.” In the 45 minutes he was on the field, the Frenchman teamed up with Bojan and Giovani, and his verdict was that “it was great to play with them. I have seen them playing internationals in different championships. They have shown they are good enough to play with us”.

 
He came and conquered, one game and one goal. In the latest entry in his diary, Thierry Henry speaks of his debut with his new team, and the kind of passion shown by the fans both for himself and Barça.
“On Thursday I played my first game for Barça and in general it was a very emotional day. First because it was the first time I have played for five months, and also because I was able to score my first goal for Barça. Although it wasn’t an official goal, it was very important for me.

The reception from the Dundee United fans was great, and I was able to play for 45 minutes without any problems. It was a difficult game because you have to remember that we have only been training for 4 or 5 days, while Dundee United have been working hard for three weeks, and so they were fresher. So me and the rest of the team, we’re still trying to get back to full fitness, and that’s what we’re working on.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the ovation I got from the crowd when I started warming up. I have never played in Scotland before and the welcome has been amazing. But I think there are a lot of very good people here in Scotland, and they know how to give you a good welcome. I played in Great Britain for several years, and fans generally treated me very well indeed.

Today I gave my first press conference since I came to Barça; the only one I gave before was at my presentation. There was a lot of expectation, but I guess that’s the way it will always be. When you play for a team like Barça, everybody wants to know about what’s happening, they want to know about this, that and the other. That’s normal. But press conferences are generally the same thing over and over, the same questions, the same answers. But you have to do them, it’s all part of the job.

I have to say that the media interest here is different. When I was at Arsenal, nobody reported on our training sessions. England’s like that. But it’s a bit like when I was at Juve or Monaco, so I am kind of used to it. And every day when we get to the hotel, there are crowds of autograph hunters, but that’s only to be expected because in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England, they live for football. And if you have come with a team like Barça, they will definitely want to watch you.

About last night’s match, I have got into my rhythm with training and matches. But that’s what football is like, you never stop! But I like it, and I can’t wait for the official season to get under way. The team needs it, and I imagine the fans do too!

Until tomorrow

Thierry Henry"

Previous chapters: I , II and III

 
Brazilian wingback Sylvinho, a favourite with British journalists covering the training camp in Saint Andrews due to his time with Arsenal, is looking forward to his fourth season with Barça.
The 33-year-old Sylvinho, or Silvio Mendes Campos to give him his full name, has told Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat that he’s looking forward to the challenges of his fourth season defending the Barça colours. He also revealed that he has turned a deaf ear during his summer vacation to the rumours that claimed he was on his way out of the Club: “I’m relaxed. I’m doing a good job and my starting point is that if the Club wants me that’s great but if not I’ll have to look for something else. I’m comfortable and happy to be in Barcelona another year”.

The arrival of Abidal

The arrival of French international defender Eric Abidal has increased the level of competition for the left back position though the two players have quite different styles. Abidal is more defensive while Sylvinho adds more in attack. According to Sylvinho, Abidal’s arrival is a positive: “Barça gains by this. We carry on winning because the important thing is the squad not the players. And from here it’s the manager who has to move the pieces as he wishes”.

Teamwork

It’s precisely at the level of teamwork that Sylvinho believes the key lies to success. There’ll be a lot of competition for places but he is convinced this is a plus and that it’s Frank Rijkaard’s job to manage the group: “The best thing that can happen to Barça is to have a squad of 20 or 22 players with a lot of quality. The players have to accept that and compete fairly and sincerely. We all want to play but there are times when we have to accept a place on the subs bench. That helps the team win”.

A positive mood

“The team is young but there are some experienced players and everyone is enthusiastic. I’m really keen to carry on doing my job and see things go the right way. I judge the season by the level of enthusiasm and as there’s a lot of enthusiasm I’m happy because people will do their best”.

A tough season

However, Sylvinho believes it will be a challenging season though he is convinced the team can aspire to collect some medals if they stay alert all the way to the end: “There are competitions that will be decided in February or March. It’s a short season packed with matches and I think Rijkaard will use a lot of players. We have to stay fresh and win every weekend and in midweek. Barça have a squad to aspire to a great deal but we mustn’t fall into the trap of saying that we’ll win it all. We have to take it one step at a time”.

 
Txiki Begiristain arrived in Saint Andrews on Wednesday and, on Thursday, watched the players train at the orders of manager Frank Rijkaard. Barça’s director of football then spoke to us on a number of matters including young striker Bojan.
Barça’s director of football Txiki Begiristain was on hand on Thursday to watch the players go through their paces. In an interview with Barça TV and he told us: “People are keen to start watching matches and not just training. They want to see how the new men are adapting and the reactions of the men who were already here”. He underlined that he had noticed “an enthusiastic atmosphere” in training.

Bojan to the first team

The presence of young striker Bojan Krkic in Saint Andrews is proving to be quite a talking point. Txiki told us: “A loan move is ruled out for the moment because he’s part of our plans. He’s training with the first team in order to stay”. However, he stressed that the situation would depend on the amount that Rijkaard uses him in matches. As for the inclusion of Bojan in the Spain squad for the under-17 World Cup, which would keep him out of Barça’s pre-season preparations, he revealed that the Club are in talks with the Spanish FA: “We’ve explained what the player wants and what’s best for him. He’s doing the pre-season with the first team because he’s part of our plans. It is important for him to stay in the first team”.

Players on the move?

Txiki also spoke about players who may be leaving the Club: “We’re working on it. The players who are not part of our plans realise that if there’s a good way out they’ll take it, but it also has to be good for the Club. We’re working on finding solutions”. He specifically mentioned Giuly: “He knew what was waiting for him but a footballer has to play. And, perhaps, that’s more likely elsewhere. There’s still time to find a good way out for the players that don’t come into our plans though we’re not in favour of waiting until 31st August”.

However, Txiki denied that Portuguese midfielder Deco is up for sale, despite the rumours circulating to the contrary.

The internal code of behaviour

A lot has been said about the code of behaviour that the players will have to follow this season. Txiki assured us: “All teams have a code and it’s always existed in Barça. The difference now is that there’ll be a disciplinary committee for serious breaches. However, I hope it will be the squad that regulates itself”.

As for the proposal of setting up a working commission within the dressing room, Txiki told us: “It’s only an idea. We’d like there to be communication, not just with the team captains. It’s not fair that Puyol has the responsibility of speaking with the Club. We need to specify who does the work and share the responsibilities, and not just among the captains. It’s about being able to explain things”.

 
In the third chapter of his diary, Thierry Henry talks about communication within the dressing room and how he’s getting on with his Catalan and Spanish. He also reveals his feelings ahead of his probable debut against Dundee United.
“Communication within the team in the first few days has been pretty easy. ‘Ronnie' and Samuel speak French and so do Yaya and, obviously, Lilian and Eric. I’m working hard on learning Spanish but I still can’t do a complete interview in that language or give meaning to my phrases. I hope to do so soon.

The important thing is that for the moment I understand well and that helps me to understand the instructions that Rijkaard gives us in training. Right now I speak French, English and a little Italian. That helps me understand Spanish a little because they’re similar but it also makes me confuse them when I try to speak, and it comes out in Italian. I don’t really know why. But you have to remember that I’ve only been here for a week. I’m trying to learn and it’ll all come in time.

As for Catalan, at the presentation I was already able to say what Cesc taught me. The coaches, physios and other team assistants all speak in Catalan and when they speak slowly I understand but when they speak fast it’s more difficult! The difficulty is that I’m trying to learn Catalan and Spanish at the same time and sometimes I confuse them. For example I always say ‘bon dia’ (Good day) in the mornings because it’s what comes out. The fact is I don’t know many more words in Catalan – the typical words such as ‘molt bé’ (very good), ‘moltes gràcies’ (thank you very much), ‘adéu’ (Goodbye)... I think the important thing above all is to know well the culture of the place you’re going to play.

Apart from that, I’m together in Saint Andrews with a lot of young players from the youth ranks. I haven’t had the chance to talk in any depth with them yet, precisely because I still don’t speak good Spanish. But I’d already seen Bojan win the European under-16 (with Fran Mérida, who was with me at Arsenal) and Giovani in the under-17 World Cup and I already knew they were great players. The fact is, just like the rest of the young players, if they’re here it’s because they’re good. But the only thing I can tell them is to go ahead with their dreams; they’ve got the quality and the rest in the mentality.

Tonight we have the match against Dundee United, my debut, and I’m ready for it. I’m always ready. But I also have to say that right now the most important thing for me is to know how long I’ll play for, after five months without playing. What I want to do is play and not get injured, and if in addition everything goes well that’s an extra. I want to play football again but taking it a bit at a time. In the next chapter of my diary I’ll be able to explain how it went!

See you tomorrow

Thierry Henry"

Previous chapters: I and II

 
Rijkaard admitted that Dundee United “had an advantage because they have been training longer than us” but the Barça manager was pleased with his players’ performance.
Frank Rijkaard was pleased with Barça 2007-08’s first game. He knows there is still work to be done, but this was a great game to see how their fitness is coming on.

Rijkaard:

“I think everybody worked hard. We shouldn’t pay too much attention to the first game. They left a good image.”

“Bojan made the opposition work. He is clever and he’s got a future. Giovani Dos Santos looked good. He played well and showed he is ready to play for us and help the team”.

“Dundee had an advantage because they’ve been training longer than we have. Teams that play against Barça always want to get a good result. It was good to taste the kind of atmosphere that we are always going to have to face.”

“We are still not at our best, but for our first match there is no cause for worry and we have to keep working.”

Bojan:

“The pre-season is for getting into shape. It is a privilege to play with Henry. He’s amazing!”

“The idea is to play for the first team. I’m part of the squad.”

Xavi:

“The important thing is fitness. Most of us played a half, but the pace was fast which is good for getting us fit. As well as the win, getting out fitness back was also important.”

“It was good to play a first division team even if they are from a weaker league. They were very motivated and it is nice to play a strong opponent.”

“Touré is a very physical player, good in the air and we understand each other wel. He reads passes well and is a good all-rounder. I felt good with everybody playing with me.”

Ronaldinho:

“We are starting to work. Starting with a win is good and we need to keep working hard to get into our rhythm.”

“Henry’s goal will do wonders for his confidence. The new players are very confident and I hope that can help us.”

“We have to keep working hard. That will help us to pick up our form and will be good for when we start the season.”

 
New signings Abidal, Henry and Touré Yaya were all handed their Barça debuts by Frank Rijkaard in Thursday night’s friendly against Dundee United.
Henry scored the winning goal, Touré Yaya blocked every ball that came near the Barça penalty box and Abidal made himself the master of the left flank. That’s the summary of the debut of Barça’s three new signings in tonight’s match.

Henry opens his account

Thierry Henry came on in the second half and almost scored with his first touch of the ball. The French striker lined up alongside young starlets Bojan and Giovani and during the 45 minutes he was on the pitch constantly changed his position.

However, Henry created most danger down the centre, where he took on the powerful central defenders of Dundee United and created a number of half chances.

Finally, in the 90th minute, Giovani dos Santos was fouled inside the left-hand side of the penalty box. Thierry Henry sent his spot kick down the centre, the keeper blocked but Henry took the rebound well to male it 0-1. Debut and goal for the Frenchman.

Touré Yaya in the starting line-up

Ivory Coast international Touré Yaya was the only new face to make it into the starting line-up. He was ever present in the centre of midfield together with Xavi and Iniesta and did a good job of breaking up the opposing attacks.

He also made a number of forays in attack and demonstrated his technical ability.

Abidal controls left flank

Abidal also came on in the second half and immediately demonstrated why he has been recruited. He was unbeatable on the left of the Barça defence and prevented the Dundee United players from making a single penetration while at the same time getting up into attack on a number of occasions. He managed several good crosses, none of which were taken advantage of.

 
It was exactly one year today that the French defender signed for FC Barcelona. Now aged 35, Thuram is one of the most experienced players in the footballing world.
On July 24, 2006, Lilian Thuram joined FC Barcelona for two season. One year later and he has spoken to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat about the day he signed, his feelings about last season and his visions for the one to come.

A year ago

The player born in Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadalupe) arrived in Barcelona to sign for the club from Juventus, shortly after losing the World Cup Final to Italy with France. He remembers his arrival was “a very happy day. I was surprised to be signing for Barça”.

Different football

Thuram has noted that the Spanish football philosophy differs from what he had grown used to in Italy. “It is important for a player to know that he has something new to learn every day” he said. “At Barça I have learned a different philosophy and system of play. It is important for the players here to play well. When I was Italy, that wasn’t the case.”

Thuram said that “I had never played in such an attack-minded side. It was different when I was in Italy. I think it is important to try to score a lot of goals, but having good attackers does not mean you can afford to defend badly. A team needs to defend well too.”

Less pressure this season

Thuram added that “last season was difficult because the people expected so much. When I came here everybody thought we were going to win 5 or 6 titles, and that’s not good. Now people are more relaxed. They know it is important to win but we aren’t under the same pressure as last season”. But he does not think Xavi was wrong to say on Sunday that the team needs to try to win everything on offer, saying “when you play for Barça you have to play to win everything. Saying things changes nothing and whether or not you say it, playing in a team like this you are always going to think that.”

New signings

Last season he was one of the new boys. This year there are four new players. Thuram said the squad this year “is very good with great players like Henry, Abidal, Touré and Milito. But we cannot draw conclusions until the end of the season. It is important to take things one game at a time”. On Henry, the French defender said “he is a very quiet person, and a great player. It has been a few months since he last played but little by little he will become a great player again, because he is also a great person.”

Milito is a welcome addition, claims Thuram: “It is great that Milito is here. A team like Barça needs great players. For me, his arrival changes nothing, it didn’t before and neither does it now that I am 35 years old.”

 
Frank Rijkaard’s Wednesday morning training session subjected the players to some especially demanding physical work.
In Barça’s first training session of the day ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Dundee United, the players continued working to get their full fitness back. It was probably the toughest session they have endured so far.

Heart rates monitored

Each player trained with heart rate monitors on their wrists in order to get a statistical count on how they are coping with the workload. They also continued with the lactate tests that started on Tuesday.

Circuit training with shot on goal

The training began with the usual warm ups and drills. They then tackled a huge obstacle course that featured cones and hurdles, followed by a dribble and a sprint on goal. The coaching staff fed them balls towards the end of the exercise, which involved a spot of target practice.

The huge crowd gathered to watch Frank Rijkaard’s side training included members of English League One side Carlisle United. Before the session, several Barça players posed for photographs with the two captains of the Saint Andrews University team and the president of the University’s Sports Association.

 
In his first press conference since the holidays, Ronaldinho has said the team has spoken about what needs improving and that they are ready to make Barça a winning team again.
There was plenty of expectation as Ronaldinho faced the press for the first time since the summer vacation, and he said the team “has spoken about what needs improving on last season” in order to “make improvements both on and off the pitch and make Barça champions again”.

Fully motivated

Last year the Brazilian missed the training camp in Demark in order to get some rest after the World Cup in Germany, but this year he is going to involved in the pre-season right from the start. And he claims to be delighted to be back under the orders of Frank Rijkaard. “I am very motivated” he said. “After enjoying my holidays I am hoping to prepare myself well to play as I always have.”

Ronaldinho had asked his manager to be excused from Brazil’s Copa America squad for the tournament held last month in Venezuela. “I asked not to play in order to get some free time and rest, in order to get back to 100%” he said. But the Brazilian international was naturally delighted that his team had seen off Argentina to win the trophy.

Henry adapting

One of the players attracting most of the attention on the Scottish tour is Thierry Henry. Ronaldinho says that the incorporation of a player of Henry’s standing “is an added motivation, a delight, because he is one of the best players in the world.” Asked how the Frenchman is adapting, Ronaldinho said “he is a simple, open person, who is able to adapt well to the group. He has come to help us achieve our target, which is to win titles.”

Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto'o and Henry together?

Since Henry arrived, a lot of people have been wondering whether there is any chance of him, Ronaldinho, Messi and Eto'o all lining up in the same starting eleven. Ronaldinho is adamant that “that is the manager’s decision. The more quality players there are in the squad, the better for the club.” Of course, Frank Rijkaard may even opt to bench Ronaldinho for some games, and if that happens “I’d accept it because it’s only normal in football. The players that are doing best are the ones who will get to start.”

Good preparations

Ronaldinho was asked how important he felt FC Barcelona’s first pre-season game against Dundee United is, and he said “we are taking this game very seriously because it forms part of our preparations. It is important to give it your all in every training session and every game.” He took the opportunity to thank the Scottish people for the wonderful reception he and the rest of the squad had received.

 
Speaking before the friendly with Dundee United, Frank Rijkaard explained that he intends to “use as many players as possible” in Thursday’s match.
Although “some of the reserve team players have not had very much rest” as they were still competing long after the first team had broken up, Frank Rijkaard says they will also be contributing to the side against Dundee United. “But we need to consider the fitness of each footballer” he warned.

Opposition better prepared

FC Barcelona have not played together since ending the 2006-07 season against Mamelodi Sundowns on June 20. Dundee United, meanwhile, have been back at work for three weeks, and the Dutchman is aware that the Scots will “be better prepared”.

But he doesn’t see why that should be a problem, saying “it is normal for our players to still be a bit out of form.” He added that although it was only a friendly, he expected a “good game”.

Hooray Henry

Rijkaard is very pleased with what he has seen so far of Thierry Henry. “He is a great striker and we are so happy to have him here at Barça” he said.”

Deco doing well

Rijkaard is also pleased with the way Deco is performing at the club, and that the feeling is mutual, so it seems unlikely that the Portuguese international will be leaving, even though the media has been speculating a transfer for several days.

Dundee United relish occasion

Dundee United manager, Craig Levein, has said that Thursday’s match is a great chance for his team to face some top quality players. He accepted that all of his players know who all the Barça players are.

 
In the second chapter of his diary, Thierry Henry speaks about his eating habits, admits he enjoys bread and tomato and says he is looking forward to his debut for Barça.
“We have been working hard these last few days and need to eat a lot to keep up our energy. I eat what I have to and what my body needs, without excesses. I eat a bit of everything but I take special care over fruit, because I think that’s very important. I eat everything but I like to mix, a bit of pasta, rice, chicken, salad...

When I’m in a hotel I like to vary what I eat each day. Because if not you end up eating the same thing all the time and it gets boring. But there’s one thing I can’t get here and that I have tried in Barcelona and I like a lot, and that’s bread and tomato! You take the bread, spread on tomato and garlic, and a bit of salt and oil and you can it eat it just like that! And if you put a bit of ham on top it’s delicious. I like ‘bravas’ potatoes too. They’re incredible. I like them a lot.

As for the day to day stuff, we woke up to a bit of rain today, a very Scottish climate after so many sunny days. That was good for training, because we are running a lot these days, a bit of rain with a bit of heat is good for your body. The training session was tough, but that’s normal during the pre-season. The sessions are intense, we have to run a lot to get into form for the new season. The work is hard but we’ll have to get used to it. With each day I’m getting closer to normal fitness, and as I haven’t played for so long I am going to have to work hard along with everybody else.

On Thursday I might play my first game for Barça, I’m not sure, the boss will decide. I’m sure it will be exciting because even though it’s not an official game, it will be the first time I pull on the Barça shirt, and just for that it will be a big moment. I can’t say I’m nervous because I’m 30 years old and at this stage of my life I can’t get nervous about things like that, but I am excited.

In the first training sessions I have been put in attack alongside Ronaldinho and Eto’o. The truth is it is not normal for any team to have so many good players together, it’s amazing and it is our luck and that of the Barça fans that it is like that. It is a great feeling to be able to play with Samuel and Ronnie, but not just them, but the rest of the squad as well. Wherever you look, in the dressing room or the dining room, you keep saying top quality international players!

Until tomorrow

Thierry Henry"

Previous chapters: I

 
FC Barcelona's players are enjoying a pre-season trip to Scotland with everything laid on for them, but it is the team responsible for all the equipment that came with them from Catalunya who are ensuring that the operation runs smoothly.
The players, coaches and the rest of the staff who are staying in St. Andrews all require a large amount of clothing and accessories to make their stay go well. For the six-day trip, the kit men have brought ten metal trunks and 24 bags of clothing that will be required.

Players clothes

During the trip the squad will train twice a day, except for match-days when they will train only once, and during this time they will need 300 pairs of shorts, 70 pairs of trousers, 30 pairs of three-quarter length trousers, 300 shirts, 75 sweat shirts, 75 rain jackets and 300 pairs of socks. Added to that is four complete sets of home kit and two sets of the new away kit.

The travelling party will also need off-pitch clothing and for that 120 polo shirts and 90 pairs of Bermuda shorts have been taken.

Coaching equipment

The coaching staff have their own requirements and 50 sweat shirts, 100 training tops, 75 pairs of shorts and 90 polo shirts have been taken for them.

As well as clothing, the kit men have taken 40 footballs, four sets of 30 bibs, each set a different colour, and 50 training cones.

 
FC Barcelona's physical trainer Paco Seirul•lo believes that the first week of pre-season is the most important of the summer for the players.
Speaking to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat, Seirul•lo outlined the training plan for the Blaugrana squad in these early days of preparation and explained why he believes now is a crucial time.

Why is this week so important towards preparing for the season?

"Between now and when we are in Japan there are three weeks and I think that this one is the most important because it is the initial stage when we can put in the most demanding work. When we are in Japan attention will turn to elements of playqwith the games over there and then we will return having done everything necessary. In the final week before the season the sessions will be shorter and quicker.

When the league starts will you not be able to work in the same way?

"This season the league calendar is very busy and it will be a case of playing and recuperating. So what is not done now will be very difficult to catch up on later."

What type of work are you going to do?

"We will increase the volume of resistance and strength work so that we can turn that into speed before the league starts."

Is that because in Japan it will be more difficult to do that given the change of time zone and teh climate?

"Jet-lag and the drastic change in trmperature, as well as the humidity, will not allow us to do anything other than short bursts and then to use the games to find some more of our rhythm. Between games we will not be able work with that much intensity and that is why now is so important."

The aim is to reach the start of the season in what kind of condition, what percentage of total fitness?

"Saying a percentage is very difficult. What is important is that we are in a position to win games. We have the duty from day one to win. We must also be a in position to play at a very high level. Not at our very best, but certainly close."

 
Alex Slmaond, the First Minister of Scotland, visited the FC Barcelona squad on Tuesday to watch them train as they continue pre-season preparations at St. Andrews.
During the Blaugrana's second training session a very special visitor oversaw proceedings as the First Minister watched the players being put through their paces from the sidelines. Mr. Salmond was there to witness a full size game between the sides made of the squad and the coaching staff.

A signed shirt

Greeting Mr. Salmond was Barça director Josep Cubells who explained what the plan for the season was and introduced the politician to the rest of the assembled board members. Once the training session finished, all the players made their way over to sign a team shirt that was presented to the First Minister as a gift from the club.

Mr. Salmond also had the chance to meet and speak to many of the players and enjoyed shaking hands and saying a few words to each of them, spending the longest time talking to Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry.

 
Deco is looking forward to the new season and believes that everyone at FC Barcelona wants to be part of a great team and help lead the club back to winning trophies again.
The Portuguese midfielder was reflecting on the new arrivals at the club as the squad continued pre-season preparations at St. Andrews in Scotland. Having brought in Thierry Henry, Éric Abidal, Yaya Toure and Gaby Milito, Deco now believes Frank Rijkaard can choose an impressive side. "He will now try and make a great team from these players," the 29-year-old explained. "Everyone wants to make this a great team." When asked why he was not included in either starting side in the 11-a-side game in training Deco said: "The team is not finalised yet. The coach is trying to create his team and I have to continue working hard."

Staying put

Several clubs have made enquiries about Deco's availability this summer, but the player himself intends to stay put: "I have a contract until 2010 and nobody has said anything to me, therefore I think that they count on me," he said. "I like it here. But if they do not want me to stay then that is there choice."

Back to normal

After missing out on some pre-season preparations last year, following the World Cup Finals, Deco is enjoying the return to normality this summer. "Atvthis stage we are only doing physical training because last year we could not do this," he continued. "Besides, in the United States we travlled a lot and it was difficult to do this."

Critical analysis

After a testing campaign last time out, Deco said that the criticism was expected: "When you do not win something then things like that always happen," he stated. "We have had some incredible years, but then last season we failed. Everything that was said was expected and we were ready for it. This season I think we will be going for all the trophies as the club has brought some great new players."

 
Thierry Henry is enjoying his first few days as a player with FC Barcelona in St. Andrews. The French forward has been delighted by the welcome the club has received in Scotland and is enjoying the atmosphere in the camp.
To follow we offer Thierry Henry´s thoughts on the first handover of his diary covering the Pre-season stage:

"The welcome in Saint Andrews has been great. All the people in Great Britain are very good people. They always give you a warm welcome and make everything go as well as possible during your stay and that is the same again this time. Since we have arrived the people have been very good to us a very kind. The facilities here are incredible as are the training facilities. For me is the same as I experienced throughout my time in England, although I have to say that if you tell as Scotsman they are like the English it may not go down very well, but for me the treatment has been equally as good. It has been like that since we arrived and everything is going well. In fact, I had only been to Scotland twice before and both times were for international matches in Glasgow.

On a day-to-day basis, I have the chance to play bat some very big clubs and everything that has happened at Barça has been similar to what I have experienced before. One thing that I like very much is the atmosphere among everyone, the players and the coaching staff. When you arrive at a new place you are always a little anxious, but I am delighted that everyone here talks to everyone else and everyone gets on so well. Above all though, I like that fact that when it is time to work, everyone works hard and then, when we are all back in the hotel we have a laugh and enjoy ourselves. I really like that.

The truth is that today we played a little game. It is not that I am tired, but one thing is doing a bit of running and another to actually play in a match. Today was the first time since the beginning of March, nearly five months, that I have played football. Because of that I knew I would feel a bit strange, since I still need to readjust. But I have to say that being able to play was great, I needed that. Scoring goals is not worrying me, the most important thing was to play. It will not be easy, but I have to train and work hard to be able to play and then it will be down to the coach. But for now I am very happy to be playing again!

During the moments when we can rest in pre-season, like the one that we have after lunch, I always like a little sleep. We also have a late training session and I like to put the television on and take a nap and have a short dream. I cannot think about reading then because as soon as I open a book I would fall asleep straight away. When the season starts and I am fitter I will be able to use those moments to read or to look at the internet. Now though, I have to make use of our rest periods whenever I can."

Until Tomorrow, Thierry Henry"

 
The senior squad has arrived in Scotland for the first training camp of the pre-season in Saint Andrews. This summer, the players will clock up some 30,000 km during their pre-season preparations.
On Monday morning, players and coaching staff left for Saint Andrews (Scotland) where they will stay until 28th July. The Barça party left the Camp Nou at 9.30 am and went straight to Barcelona airport where they took a charter flight to Scotland. They are due to land at about 12.45 pm local time and then take the 75 minute coach trip to their hotel.

Take-off at 11 am

The presence of the Barça players at Barcelona airport caused quite a stir among the many tourists waiting for their flights and the players were kept busy signing autographs. The flight left for Edinburgh at 11 am.

The Barça party is led by Board member Josep Cubells. However, both club president Joan Laporta and director of football Txiki Begiristain plan to travel to Saint Andrews at some time over the next few days.

Afternoon training

The first training session is scheduled for 7 pm local time. Frank Rijkaard has taken 25 players to Saint Andrews, including home-grown talent Dimas, Marc Valiente, Marc Crosas, Oier and Olmo. During the six days of their stay in Scotland, the team will play two friendlies against Dundee (26th July) and Hearts (28th July).

 
Starting on Tuesday, Thierry Henry will be relating in person his experiences on his first Barça training camp to .
Every afternoon, starting on Tuesday, the French international striker will be telling us about his experiences on his first training camp with Barça. He’ll be sharing his personal impressions, how he’s getting on with his new team-mates, the trials of learning a new language, competition in the squad and much more. Readers of www.fcbarcelona.com will have exclusive access to this fascinating insight to the world of professional football.

The presence of Thierry Henry is causing great expectation in Scotland, much of it generated by his well documented past with Arsenal in the English Premier League. Some 100 English journalists will be joined by a good number of French colleagues at the training camp, all of them eager to observe his first days with the Barça squad

Thierry Henry’s diary is just the latest in a series of pre-season diaries covering the first experiences of one of the summer signings. Saviola, Riquelme, Belletti, Van Bommel and Neeskens have been some of the recent new faces to share their thoughts with the Barça fans via the Club’s official website. This year it’s the turn of Thierry Henry, the most acclaimed signing of the pre-season, to take centre stage.

 
Speaking just after arriving in Scotland, Samuel Eto'o told reporters that the players would have to work hard to achieve success next season. However, he also expressed his excitement at the challenges ahead.
Samuel Eto'o is keen to get the pre-season under way and is determined that the team will not repeat the mistakes of last season: “The experience of last season tells us what we mustn’t do. It’s all about not repeating what we did wrong and doing what was good”.

“Work hard to win titles”

Samuel Eto'o admitted that this season will be even harder than last season: “We have to work hard to win a title. Our opponents will want to do important things and win on any ground and so it’ll be difficult. I’m in the best team in the world and with the best players”.

New signings

Samuel Eto'o also spoke about the four new signings and stressed the quality of the entire team and not just the forward line: “We have a strong group, with new players that will definitely improve the squad”. He also assured reporters that the new players are settling in fast: “Henry is adapting very well as are the other new team-mates. And the sooner they do that, the better it will be for the team”.

Responsibility in the group

One of the main talking points in the Club these days is the new internal code of behaviour. According to Eto'o, “We work for the Club and we follow the code of behaviour. But we’re also responsible adults. We all know what we must do and especially if we’re in one of the best teams in the world. It’s not just about being a great player, it’s also the way you are - and that’s why they’ve brought us here”.

Interest from Milan

Eto'o is flattered by the interest shown from Milan to sign him but once again repeated that he’s going nowhere: “I already said last season that I didn’t want to leave because I’m happy in Barcelona and in Catalonia. It’s just speculation. The truth is that I still have a contract and I haven’t thought about leaving. I’ve always wanted to stay with Barça and do a good job”.

 
After two days of medical tests and training in Barcelona, the pre-season focus moves to Scotland, where Rijkaard’s players will begin preparations for what Iniesta described on Monday as, “very demanding”.
In Saint Andrews, Barça will begin their preparations, for what is sure to be tough season, with two friendlies and a series of training sessions. According to Iniesta: “Our only objective is to be ready for a very demanding season. We’ll have a good pre-season and the aim is get fit and strong. We have two games and we’ll try and win them, but the main thing is to get fit”.

More pressure

Last season, the important titles slipped through the players’ fingers so this season the demands and pressure on the players will be even higher: “After a year without winning, there’s always more pressure. But in fact there always is because here you’re always obliged to win titles. But that’s also a challenge and with the reinforcements that have arrived we have more chance of winning them. We have to fight on all fronts”.

Positive progress

Match after match, Iniesta has shown that he’s one of the most gifted players in the Spanish league, and he wants to keep things moving forward: “Last season was my best on a personal level and I’m happy with that. But I’m really keen to improve. I’ve always had confidence in myself and that’s why I’m here”.

A quality squad

Iniesta also had his say on the ‘problem’ of choosing between four world class forwards: Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Henry. “That’s the manager’s decision and it also depends on the match. These are things that are down to him. But the most important thing is that we have some of the best players in the world and we have a lot of variations”.

 
The FC Barcelona first team have enjoyed their first training session in Scotland as they continue preparations for the matches against Dundee United and Hearts later this week.
After a smooth journey to Edinburgh, the squad travelled to their base in St. Andrews, where they ate and then rested before heading out to train at 7pm. The players were taken to the pitch in a fleet of Audi cars and they appeared in very good spirits once the action began. A short warm-up routine on the St. Andrews University field made a refreshing change as the cool climate in Scotland was in stark contrast to the sultry conditions the squad left behind in Barcelona.

Physical circuit

The usual ball exercises followed before a circuit to build physical strength was organised by Paco Seirul.lo and Albert Roca and the players paired up to carry out the exercise. All this was watched over Frank Rijkaard, Eusebio Sacristán and Johan Neeskens.

Keeping possession

Next came a familiar sight as the players played a small-sided game with the emphasis on keeping possession in reduced space. With one set of four against four and the other of five against five, the squad looked lively and were clearly having fun in their new surroundings. The three goalkeepers on the trip, Víctor Valdés, Albert Jorquera and Oier Olazábal trained seperately with Juan Carlus Unzúe. The session, which lasted around 90 minutes, ended with some warm down exercises.

 
FC Barcelona's round of physical tests and training continued on Sunday as the players enjoyed their second day back at work. While some of the squad trained on the pitch, others were inside the stadium undergoing medical examinations.
On the field in front of La Masia, the red and green groups were put through their paces as Víctor Valdés, Juliano Belletti, Deco, Santi Ezquerro, Jesús Olmo and Giovani Dos Santos formed one set and Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram, Xavi, Eidur Gudjohsen, Thiago Motta and Nojan Krkic made up the other. The rest of the players were in the club's medical rooms.

Warming to the occasion

After undergoing some stretching exercises, the players were mixed up again for a round of piggy-in-the-middle. In one group were Motta, Marc Crosas, Dimas, Deco, Belletti, Krkic, Frank Rijkaard and the fitness coach, Albert Roca, while in the second set were Thuram, Xavi, Zambrotta, Valdés, Ezquerro, Dos Santos, Eusebio and Johan Neeskens.

More exercises

The players then carried out more physical exercises as they they had to continue running until being given a signal, whereupon they had to sit-ups or press-ups followed by a sprint before returning to the slower pace and wait for another signal.

Footballs were then introduced as the squad paired up to pass between each other and then the session finished with some shooting practice. While one group worked with the ball the other began the physical circuit.

Gudjohnsen, Dimas and Marc Crosas

Soon after training began, Gudjohnsen withdrew, while Crosas and Dimas, who have both already passed their physical tests with the B team, were training in front of La Masia for the third time in three days.

 
After the first two days of pre-season training Xavi believes that confidence is high among the FC Barcelona squad and that the club is capable of having a successful season.
The 27-year-old said that Barça will have "a great team" that will be able to play for all the trophies on offer next term. "We have to work hard and be ready," he continued. "There is a great feeling."

Talent show

With the four new arrivals at the club adding to a star-studded set of players, Xavi stated: "It is the strongest squad that I have seen here in terms of talent. Every year there is even greater competition."

Reflecting on the signings of Thierry Henry, Yaya Touré, Éric Abidal and Gaby Milito, he added." They are of the highest level and will help and will help keep the competitiveness high."

Fantastic Four

Asked whether he thinks that Henry, Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Messi can play together, Xavi assured that it would "depend on the game or on whether the game is at home or not, but to have this possibility is fantastic."

Barça-Madrid

Before the start of every season, Barça and Real Madrid are always seen as favourites for the title and Xavi believes that "it is logical that due to the history of things we will be fighting for it again this term". Despite that, he remained prudent and added: "We cannot forget the other teams that will be up there, however, like Sevilla who had a great season last year."

Saviola

Javier Saviola's switch to Madrid also caused Xavi mixed feelings. "I wish him all the best on a personal note, but not for his team. It is a bitter-sweet thing, because he is a close friend, but is playing for a direct rival of ours."

 
Víctor Valdés has no doubt that FC Barcelona will be exciting to watch this season as he believes that the Blaugrana have the "best attack that a team can have".
The 25-year-old goalkeeper has returned to pre-season training and revealed his delight at the new faces in the squad and is confident that the team will be even stronger next term. "There have been important signings for each area of the team," he said. "We have incredible players in every position. Up front, well, we have the best forward line in the world. The best that a team could have with players who have such quality mixed with youth."

Showing respect

Despite praising the quality in the squad, Valdés is well aware that the team "will have difficult games as other clubs have also strengthened well. It will be a very competitive league". On that note, the Barça custodian added: "We will have to remain focussed and show respect to every team we play."

Defending the defence

Reflecting on the arrival of Gaby Milito to the club, Valdés said: "He will be an important player and is one of the best defenders in the world." Even with the arrival of the Argentinian and Éric Abidal at the back, Valdés denied that the team lost the league title last term due to defensive frailties and said that it was down to "an accumulation of circumstances".

The internal code

With reports of an internal code of conduct due to be introduced, the goalkeeper showed that he was not surprised. "All teams have an internal system," he explained. "As professionals we have always complied with the rules. We can only answer by working hard and being responsible."

 Eidur Gudjohnsen will not travel to Scotland with FC Barcelona after picking up a knock. Carles Puyol will also miss out through injury, while Lionel Messi, Gaby Milito and Rafa Márquez are still on holiday.
The 25-man squad for the pre-season trip, that starts on Monday, to Saint Andrews, has been named. Barça will take on Dundee United on Thursday (July 26) and then face Hearts on Saturday (July 28).

The squad

Frank Rijkaard has named the following players for the journey: Valdés, Jorquera, Oier, Belletti, Sylvinho, Zambrotta, Abidal, Marc Valiente, Oleguer, Thuram, Olmo, Xavi, Touré Yaya, Iniesta, Motta, Deco, Marc Crosas, Dimas, Giovani dos Santos, Bojan, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry, Maxi López, Ezquerro.

Puyol still recovering

Puyol suffered an injury in the team’s final game of last season in South Africa and is still recovering. The Blaugrana captain damaged the ligaments in his left knee and was told that he would be sidelined for around three months.

Extended holiday

Milito, Messi and Márquez will not be in Scotland either as they were allowed extra time off after competing in the recent Copa América for their respective countries in Venezuela. All three will join the squad in time for the tour of the Far East.

 
The pre-season has started for the 2007-08 squad. The team was divided into four groups for different medical tests and the first training session.
Frank Rijkaard’s players met at 9 o’clock in the morning at the Camp Nou, where in morning and afternoon sessions they will take a series of medical tests and also start training. After being divided into four groups, they will also be working out in the gym as well as doing physical work in La Masía.

Medical Services

The red group made up of Valdés, Belletti, Deco, Ezquerro, Olmo and Giovani Dos Santos, and the green group of Zambrotta, Thuram, Xavi, Gudjohnsen, Motta and Bojan were the first to go to the Medical Services and the gym area. They will have two sets of tests in the morning and two more in the afternoon.

The pitch at La Masia

Meanwhile, the blue group made up of Oleguer, Abidal, Henry, Eto'o, Maxi López and Marc Valiente, and the yellow group featuring Jorquera, Sylvinho, Touré, Iniesta and Ronaldinho worked out at La Masía.

Reserve team players Oier Olazábal, Marc Crosas and Dimas, who had already taken their medical tests with Barça B, also trained at La Masía. The session started with running exercises and physical exercises as well as the usual drills.

The players then exercised in the centre circle. After stretching, fitness coaches Albert Roca and Paco Seirul•lo put the players in pairs for a series of circuits, which included sit-ups and obstacles.

More of the same in the afternoon

The blue and yellow groups trained in the afternoon in a session that was almost identical to that in the morning. In the session Dimas and Marc Crosas, who trained in the morning, carried on working apart from the main group with some light jogging. Meanwhile, the red and green groups undertook their medical tests in the afternoon.

 
In his first press conference of the season, Frank Rijkaard said “the players don’t want to repeat last year’s experience”, an experience he claims is “an added motivation for this season.”
The 2007-08 season is under way for FC Barcelona, after the first training session this Saturday. Frank Rijkaard is ready for the challenge, which he sees as the chance to “start again from zero.”

Looking for positive dynamic

Asked about the mood in his squad, Frank Rijkaard said “the players are behaving very well”, before adding that “we are all human” and “things happen”, which he considers “normal.” The target, he claims, is to find the right positive dynamic.

Between 23 and 24 players

Frank Rijkaard knows how many players he wants to work with this summer despite stating that “now is not the time to talk about these things. We have a big squad, but little by little we will find solutions”. Ideally, the Dutchman would like “between 23 and 24 players for the 2007-08 season.”

Delighted to play for Barça

Iniesta and Eto'o have been in the media of late due to the interest of other clubs in signing them. Rijkaard responded by saying “all of the players are delighted to be at Barça and want to be successful here. They are all happy and enthusiastic”.

Henry will play

Although he is still not in perfect shape, Thierry Henry “will play some minutes” of the friendlies in Scotland. Frank Rijkaard was happy with his performance in today’s training session.

 
Seven of Barça’s reserve team will be travelling to the pre-season training camp on Monday at Saint Andrews. The new players have just had their first taste of what will be Barça 2007/08.
The start of the new season has given us our first chance to see the seven reserve team players that will be travelling to Saint Andrews in Scotland, namely Giovani Dos Santos, Bojan Krkic, Marc Valiente, Oier Olazábal, Marc Crosas, Dimas and Jesús Olmo.

Three to repeat

In fact this is the second time for three players, Giovani, Marc Crosas and Olmo, who played with the first team for two weeks in the USA and Mexico last summer. Frank Rijkaard also used these players as part of his Copa del Rey and Copa Catalunya plans. Marc Valiente, another of the seven, got his chance in the second leg of the cup tie against Badalona.

Friendlies in Egypt and South Africa

For the Egyptian friendly against Al-Ahly, Giovani, Jesús Olmo and Bojan were called up, and Bojan even scored one of the goals.

Barça closed last season with a friendly against Mamelodi in South Africa and Dimas, Olmo and Marc Crosas were handed an opportunity. Crosas made the most of it by scoring the winning goal.

First time for Oier Olazábal

Oier Olazábal, a goalkeeper signed this season, will also be joining the players making the trip to Saint Andrews. The Basque stopper trained with the first team this Saturday for the very first time.

 
Gabriel Milito has proven himself to be one of the best defenders oin the world and now he is delighted to have joined FC Barcelona.
In an interview with Barça TV, he explains his hopes and desires after moving to the club as well as talking about being compared to Carles Puyol, the other new players at the club and facing his brother again as an opponents. Milito is due to return to Argentina for a well-deserved break, before heading back to join up with his new team-mates.

Have you joined at the best moment in your career?

"Yes, I am in great form. I think that this move has come at the most important time in my career. I wanted to do this to help me grow as a player and to come to this club. Everything was put in place to make this happen and I am very pleased to be being presented here and am enjoying it. I think I am in great shape now. I have a lot of experience in the Spanish league after four years with Real Zaragoza and I think that will help me a lot for the future."

What are you hoping for from this new chapter?

"I only want the best. When one joins a new club, as grand and as prestigious as Barcelona, it is exciting and you only think about doing your best. My dream for this first season is that it is a great year for everyone and that we can win everything we want and also that we enjoy it and that the fans enjoy it too and we play as a team."

You have a new challenge in your first Champions League campaign.

"Yes, I really wanted to play in a competition as important as the Champions League. I have not been lucky enough to play in it before and this will be my first year, my first experience of it, and I know that one of the club's aims is to win it and we will all have to be at our best to strive to make that happen. It is a long and difficult road, but I believe that if we are all giving it everything then anything can happen."

You have been compared to Carles Puyol for your physical appearances and style of play. In what way do you think you are similar and also how are you different?

"I do not know if I really look like him or not. What I do know that it is flattering to be compared to him because he is one of the best defenders around and I think he is an example for the team and for the fans to follow. I think that Puyol is the team leader and to be compared to him is an honour. But if I am really similar, I do not know."

Puyol is recovering from an injury, but Rafael Márquez, Lilian Thuram and Éric Abidal are all vying for a place in the team. The competitionn is strong.

"Yes, the squad is very competitive as there are players of such great quality who can all play. But only 11 players can be named in the team and the coach has to decide who they are. What is great is that we will all be giving our best for the sake of the team. By doing that the competition among us will increase and the team will really benefit."

What do you think about the other new arrivals?

"I think that players like Henry, as well as Touré and Abidal, bring great experience and their quality and that, obviously, along with the players that are already here makes this team very competitive. We will probably fight for every trophy. To promise titles and cups is difficult, but I can promise you that the team will be giving everything to achieve these ambitions."

Barça are well nown to playing attacking football, while their opponents look to use the counter-attack. Is it more difficult to defend against that?

"In defence you always have to be attentive. I have the experience of playing for Argentina, who also have an offensive mentality and play similarly to Barcelona now. I know what it means to play with an advanced defence, but I think if you are well-positioned then the risks are not so great. The key is to be focussed, well-placed and to have good communication among the back four, especially when the team has the ball. If we can do then the danger will be reduced considerably."

It is your first experience in one of European football's major clubs. What extra pressure does that bring and do you think your experience with Argentina will help?

"I have seen from the outside what Barcelona is about and have seen what is means. Now I am going to experiencing all that on the inside and will be relishing the opportunity because it is a reall great thing to be able to play for this club. Now I am going to start to feel everything that I have seen and heard on the outside and feel what it all means."

Have you been able to talk to Frank Rijkaard yet?

"I have not been able to talk to him. I was playing in the Copa América and then travelled here straight after and it was all very quick. I have just arrived and will now be heading back to Argentina for some holiday and then I will return and have my first contact with him and the team."

How much influence did Lionel Messi's presence at Barça have on your decision to join?

Obviously, it is always important to have friends in the team. Especially if they are your compatriots too. That truth is that Leo talked to me about the possibility and he spurred me on. From there the possibility of coming grew, with a little luck, and I was lucky enough to be able to complete the move. There were two very difficult days when there was a great deal of uncertainty, but in the end it all turned out well. and it is a privilege to be playing the same team as Lei. Not only with him, but also with all the other players that have such great quality."

Your first game in Camp Nou could be in the Joan Gamper Trophy against Inter.

"Yes, indeed. Now I feel like having a rest after a very long season, but I am also excited about the prospect of playing my first game in a Barça shirt. I am excited because it will be an incredible moment to make my debut and I know that I will be slightly anxious. But patience is the key and it will come along and I have to be ready to sieze the opportunity."

You have scored one goal in each of the last two season and on both occasions it was in the Camp Nou. Do you feel more motivated when playing there?

"I think it was just coincidence. I had the chance to score when it came along, but I hope to be able to score more goals at Camp Nou."

Now you will be facing your brother, who is one of the top scorers in Spain, once more. This happened in Argentina too.

"We already played against each other in Argentina in important games between two big rivals. Hopefully this year we will have the chance to repeat that because apart from being opponents, I enjoy the experience. We will have to wait and see if we both can play when our team are due to meet."

 
The FC Barcelona first team squad return to pre-season training on Saturday and there first duty will be to undergo medical and physical tests after the summer break.
Double training sessions will be the order of the day over the weekend as the players kick off preparations for the 2007/08 campaign. Returning at 09:00 on Saturday, the team will be at Camp Nou until 18:30, following the intense series of tests and physical exercises. On Monday the squad will then fly to Scotland ahead of the first pre-season game against Dundee United.

Three sections

The proceedings will be divided into three sections at the weekend. While some players will start with the tests in the Medical Services area, others will work in the dressing room and gym and a third set will be out on the pitch in front of La Masia doing physical exercises.

Testing times

Two session are planned before lunch and two more in the afternoon. The Medical Services will be taking a general clinical history and muscular echographs, a spirometry, electrocariagrams, a cardiological test and an ecodariogram on every player. These tests will be completed with a nutritional appraisal and a check-up of the bodily composition of every player.

In the dressing room and gym, there will be an Omegawave test, that will study the heart rate to give an idea about hte psycho-emotional state of the players. There will also be a tensiomiography to measure the muscular tension and a Muscle Lab test to measure the strength of different muscle groups. Along with a set of other tests, the players will also be allowed out onto the pitch for some physical work.

Four groups

The squa dwill be divided into four groups so that they can rotate through the series of activities until all the players have completed the busy circuit.

 
Gabriel Milito is following in the footsteps of such illustrious names as Maradona, Pizzi, Riquelme and Mateo Nicolau as he became the 20th Argentinian player to represent the club.
The arrival of the defender from Real Zaragoza has increased the club's links with Argentina that has seen players from the South American country play football, basketball and roller hockey for the Blaugrana.

Recent times

In FC Barcelona's 108-year history there have been 20 Argentinians. In the past few seasons the football team has had players such as Pizzi, Pellegrino, Saviola, Bonano, Riquelme, Sorin and Maxi López, as well of course, as Lional Messi.

The basketball squad has included players such as Juan Domingo De la Cruz and Marcelo Nicola, while the roller hockey outfit have had Roberto Roldán, Gaby Cario and the Páez brothers.

Maradona

Arguably, the greatest player from Argentina to don the Blaugrana shirt was Diego Armando Maradona, who joined the club after World Cup Finals in 1982. In his two seasons at Camp Nou he helped the club to win the Copa del Rey, the League Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.

The football team has also had three Argentinian coaches as Helenio Herrera, Roque Olsen and César Luis Menotti have all been at the helm.

The first Argentinian at Barça

Juan Garchitorena became the first Argentinian player when he joined Barça in 1915. Despite being from South America, Barcelona registered as a Spaniard until Espanyol complained and the Catalan Football Federa