Preparations continue with Olot friendly

The Thursday training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper was a little different to usual. After a normal workout in the morning, in the evening the Barça squad played a friendly behind closed doors against Catalan fourth tier outfit UE Olot. 

In his first chance to try out his ideas in a real game situation, Hansi Flick opted to start with Iñaki Peña, Julian Araujo, Sergi Domínguez, Iñigo Martínez, Balde, Romeu, Olmedo, Guille, Vitor Roque, Darvich and Toni.

The visiting side consisted of P. Ballesté, Uri Ayala, Salvans, Terma, De Marci, Arnau Forés, Yaya, Uri, Chema Moreno, Torras and R. Costa, with David López Jiménez officiating.

There may have been no fans at this game, but there were some top class onlookers, including club president Joan Laporta, sporting vice-president Rafael Yuste, board member Joan Solé, director of the football area Deco, the coordinator of the football area Bojan, the director of youth football José Ramon Alexanco and Enric Masip. 

Pablo Torre scores winner

A goalless first half was followed by a more prolific second, in which Barça was represented by a completely fresh line-up of Hector Fort, Quim Junyent, Gerard Martín, Astralaga, Arnau Pradas, Andrés Cuenca, Lenglet, Pau Víctor, Pablo Torre, Álex Valle, Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó.

Pablo Torre needed just two minutes to break the deadlock with what would turn out to be the only goal of a very useful exercise for all concerned. They players will now be taking a couple of days off and on Sunday will train for the last time before flying off to the United States.