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Martino Handles First Training Session At Barca

New Barcelona soccer coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino took charge of his first training session at their Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper base on Monday. The Spanish … Continue reading Martino Handles First Training Session At Barca


New Barcelona soccer coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino took charge of his first training session at their Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper base on Monday.

The Spanish champions, who had just returned from Norway where they beat Valerenga 7-0 in a friendly match in Oslo on Saturday (July 27), also welcomed back on Monday their ten players that had been taking part in the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

These included Brazilian Neymar, making his first appearance on the Barcelona training ground after being signed from Santos for 57 million Euros last month. Neymar showed some of his potential in the Confederations Cup, scoring four goals for Brazil in the tournament including the opener in their 3-0 win against Spain in the final. He was named as player of the tournament.

Martino, who watched from the stands in Oslo as Lionel Messi was among the scorers against Valerenga, will be taking his squad to Poland where his first match in charge will be against Lechia Gdansk on Tuesday.

This match was originally scheduled to be, having been played on July 20, but was postponed after Barcelona’s previous coach Tito Vilanova resigned the previous day because of health problems.

One of Martino’s first problems will be to attempt to hold on to Cesc Fabregas who has attracted the attention of English champions Manchester United. The club has already rejected two offers for the Spanish midfielder.

Following Tuesday’s match, Barcelona will return to Spain to take on Neymar’s old club Santos on Friday.