With a bulk of their key figures missing due to international commitments, Pep Guardiola only had nine players at his disposal and they were forced to train together with the B team, Luis Enriques Barcelona Atletic, in order to make up the numbers.

But there was some good news for the Blaugrana coach as he recovered midfielder Seydou Keita, who had been released by Mali coach Jean-Francois Jodar ahead of the friendly against Angola (which Mali won 4-0) so that he could continue his recovery back in Barcelona.

The 29-year-old picked up a knock three weeks ago after a collision with Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni in the Copa del Rey, but he finally resumed training yesterday with the rest of the squad.