Players do recovery work

The squad concentrated on some recovery work in training on Thursday morning ahead of Sunday’s trip to Santander.

Guardiola worked with all 14 available first team players, plus Tello, Muniesa, Sergi Roberto, Bartra, Montoya and Dos Santos from Barça B.

NFL Super Bowl winner Justin Tuck, of The New York Giants watched the session.

Following Wednesday night's extraordinary display against Bayer Leverkusen, the squad were back in training this morning on pitch number 2 at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. As usual on the day after a game, the players who figured in the starting line-up worked on recovery activities. The rest, along with Tello, Muniesa, Sergi Roberto, Bartra, Montoya and Dos Santos had a more complete session as Guardiola begins preparations for Sunday evening's game against Racing.

Two of the team's injured players, Alexis and Puyol, were also on the training pitch, as they both work to get back to full fitness.

NFL star Justin Tuck, who is in Barcelona to visit the Global Sports Forum, came along to watch this morning's session. Tuck, former University of Notre Dame player and third-round pick in the 2005 NFL draft, plays for this year's Super Bowl champions The New York Giants. The standout defensive end, Pro Bowl and All-Pro player in 2008 and 20120, was key in New York’s Super Bowl XLII and XLVI bids. Tuck watched Wednesday's game at the Camp Nou and he came along this morning to say hello to the players.

Víctor Valdés, who is a big NFL fan, swapped shirts with the two time Super Bowl winner, who also found time to express his admiration for Leo Messi. (via FCBarcelona.cat)