Guardiola Whipping Players Into Shape @ OleOle

Guardiola Whipping Players Into Shape

Wednesday 23rd July by fcbnews_nic · 19 Comments

Reports from Scotland suggest that Pep Guardiola is working the players hard. Early training sessions which include a run from the hotel to the training ground, appear to be more intense than they had been previously under Frank Rijkaard. The negative side of this is that Sylvinho, Eto'o, Abidal, Oleguer and Marc Crosas have all suffered minor injuries which will mean none of them are likely to be risked in tomorrow's game at Murrayfield against Hibs.

Also missing will be the Eurocopa heroes Puyol, Iniesta and Xavi who this morning passed medicals in Barcelona before flying out to join their teammates in Scotland. this means the team for tomorrow could look something like this: Valdés; Alves, Marquez, Pique, Caceres; Hleb, Toure, Keita; Messi, Henry, Bojan. I'm looking forward to see how the new boys do, especially Caceres if he plays at left back. Hopefully he can be the solution to a problem position last season.

In other news today, FIFA have demanded that clubs release their under-23 players who have been called up for the Beijing Olympics. I'm not sure how long Barça can keep hold of Leo Messi but I understand he will join Argentina after the two games in Scotland.

A new transfer rumour has linked Samuel Eto'o with a move to Real Madrid. It would certainly be a massive blow to Barça if the deal worked out, but I think Eto'o would have a lot more problems with Madrid's fans than he had at Barça. One of the best selling t-shirts in Madrid is the Eto'o c*bron one after Eto'o's anti-Madrid celebration two years ago. Can't see it happening myself.

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19 Responses so far →

1. realmadridtalk Wrote: | 20.09CEST | Jul 23, 2008

It is extreamly impossible that E'too could come back to Real Madrid. It is just this silly spanish media who is making it up.

2. Garrett Wrote: | 20.29CEST | Jul 23, 2008

Minor injuries in preseason probably show that some of these guys are not in the shape they should be in to start. Minor injuries heal....I think tougher training standards is essential for rebuilding a new philosophy and attitude. These guys are great atheletes, and paid very well. It's time to stop babying the guys and start working them to get back to the EXCELLENCE STANDARDS that they and the fans deserve. GET THE WHIP OUT AND LET'S KICK SOME ASS THIS YEAR FELLAS!!!!

3. Aztecca Wrote: | 20.33CEST | Jul 23, 2008

Oleguer is still with the team? I thought he was supposed to sign for Ajax.

4. fcbnews_nic Wrote: | 20.39CEST | Jul 23, 2008

Oleguer hasn't signed yet. Barça and Ajax agreed terms but it remains for the player to agree personal terms.

5. Barca4Lyf Wrote: | 21.03CEST | Jul 23, 2008

It will be great to see da newcomers in action!!! The story linking Eto'o to Madrid is total bullshit!! Oh and Realmadridtalk, Madrid suck!!!

6. Paco el escocés Wrote: | 21.50CEST | Jul 23, 2008

Just thought I'd point out that tomorrow's game will not, in fact, be played at Easter Road.

As Easter Road only holds 18,00 these days, Hibs deliriously booked Murrayfield for the occasion. The capacity at Murrayfield is 67,000, but, personally, I think the Hibees have overstepped their mark and I'm afraid they're going to have a bit of egg on their face when they play in a half-empty (at least!) stadium.

Anyway, as a life-long Hibbie and a long-standing "culé", tomorrow is one of the few occasions when I have to say "May the best team win!"

(NO, BTW, I'm not accepting any bets!!!)

7. Aztecca Wrote: | 22.02CEST | Jul 23, 2008

Is Marc Crosas still looking for a new club or is he staying for the season? I understand he's with the team in Scotland.

8. Pequito Wrote: | 23.09CEST | Jul 23, 2008

Good to hear Pep is making the boys work. Eto'o commented after last season that he felt they hadn't run enough in training. Guess he gets his wish. Minor injuries shouldn't be a problem, but in general players should be more fit than in years past. It's more common for players to be under an ongoing fitness program that's formulated and rigorously monitored by the club. About the only time they wouldn't be training to some degree would be when they go on holiday. Anyway, I want to see a Barça with more pace to it this season, so keep it up, Pep!

9. Barcel Wrote: | 23.58CEST | Jul 23, 2008

That's what i want to hear strickness to achieve fitness, and the players should stop eat them McDonalds

10. JMoFCB Wrote: | 00.10CEST | Jul 24, 2008

I'm glad to see Pep coming down hard from the start. Unfortunately, the players who needed the discipline have all but left except for Eto'o and Abidal. Let's hope these players feel the pressure of competing for their spot and some magic will be re-kindled.

As far as tomorrow's game is concerned... anyone know how one might watch it? Is it being televised. I watch GolTV back here in the states and I don't believe it's being broadcasted.

11. fcbnews_nic Wrote: | 00.31CEST | Jul 24, 2008

Hey Scottish Paco, thanks for pointing out my error, the game is indeed at Murrayfield, I've now edited the post.

As for TV I've no idea. In Barcelona I'm trusting it will be on TV3 but in the rest of the world I don't know. Could there be an internet stream going? Anyone?

12. cayenned Wrote: | 02.18CEST | Jul 24, 2008

It will be inersting to see what type of formation they will play this season.....

13. Rafael Wrote: | 02.28CEST | Jul 24, 2008

It's a good start.

Training is only training though, you cannot learn mental toughness in training, no matter how much you try to emulate it.

I can't wait to see how Barcelona do. So much transfers and rumours etc.. it would be nice to see some walking being done after a lot of talking.

14. jack Wrote: | 10.13CEST | Jul 24, 2008

please we don;t want victor vardes in bercelona again try and bid for good keeper, like jaskelain or coupet russia goal keeper
we need player like babertov in berca or david villa

15. henry Wrote: | 10.18CEST | Jul 24, 2008

we dont want victor verdes again he is model not a goal keeper bid for good goal keeper we need player like babertov

16. skizzG Wrote: | 11.16CEST | Jul 24, 2008

I can't wait to see the players in action... but I'm upset that Barca is playing Chivas USA at Soldier Field and not in LA... I don't understand the reasoning! Anyway if anyone is trying to stream, links should be posted here in a bit:

LINK

I've gotten used to streaming since there is zero Barca coverage in the US...

17. ender568 Wrote: | 18.45CEST | Jul 24, 2008

Well if it gets us la liga, I say full speed ahead. Not sure if these 'minor" injuries will come back to haunt them though. BTW jack your spelling may e horrible, but love what it says. And check out my blog at 'Bayer 04ever' pleez. $:\$

18. ae Wrote: | 22.16CEST | Jul 24, 2008

LOL. In game against Hibernian Eto'o is #14 and Henry is #9.

19. MikeM Wrote: | 16.38CEST | Jul 25, 2008

This is good, the only way to win things is through hard work. the minor injuries will go away once the players are fitter. fit players means less injuries . so ya, keep up the good work...