Back to work with open doors training session

5,280 people came to enjoy a chilly but Sunday morning at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, with a large presence of children, watching the team get back to work under the orders of Hansi Flick. The traditional open doors training session was as lovely an event as always, with a wonderful festive atmosphere as supporters got to enjoy a close view of their heroes in action.

The players came out for their warm-up to the sound of the Barça anthem, a reminder that today was not any usual session, important as it was with a Copa del Rey game against Barbastro on the horizon. This was also the first time out for the squad after taking a few days off for Christmas.

The session lasted an hour and a half, and one of the biggest attractions was the CAT mascot, who the children were especially to meet, interacting with the feline and taking selfies galore.

Once again, the Foundation's robots, Pol and Joyce, were on the field allowing children who were unable to go to the ground in person to nevertheless get to enjoy the Barça experience via audio and video connections. Several of the players came over to talk to hospitalised fans through the robots, producing some of the most memorable moments of a very special day.

Organised by the FC Barcelona Foundation, the event was doubling as a charity fundraiser, with all proceeds being used to finance the Foundation's new Blaugrana Wristband scheme to improve the conditions for long-stay patients in children's hospitals, and especially those with serious illnesses.