Training consisted of continuous running, rounds, physical exercises, ball possession work, defence-attack practice and a mini-match. Baptista exercised in the gym and later on the pitch under the instruction of Hugo Camarero. Reserve players, Pol, Jurado, Fabrice and Sielva were in training with the first team this morning.
The team is back to work tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at La Rosaleda.
Joaquín
“Regardless of it being a League or a Cup match, coming up against Barcelona is always going to be difficult. Firstly we’ve got Sunday’s League match at our home ground, so our aim is to shake them up a bit and show them what we’re capable of, before the two Cup matches.”
“Even though they’re going to be tough games, as a footballer you always get excited about playing against a team like Barcelona. They are the biggest rival a team can come up against at the moment, but I think in Sunday’s League match at home, we are capable of that same superiority we’ve displayed against numerous teams that have come here.”
“God forbid, but it’s always better to be knocked out of a competition by a team like Barcelona, as opposed to another team. They’ll have to perform very well if they want to defeat us though I think, and we’re determined not to make any mistakes.”
“It’s hard to know how these three matches will pan out. At the end of the day we’re taking on Barcelona. We’re all really excited about these sorts of matches and all the emotion that comes with them, and we’re really hoping we can outplay them. As long as we maintain our determination and motivation on the pitch, be as strong as we can at home, and ensure that they don’t feel ‘comfortable’ at all, then we’re in with a very good chance. It’s going to be tough obviously, as Barça is packed full of amazing players. What with all the excitement surrounding Sunday’s match, all our hard work and steely determination for victory, I think we can do it.”