In preparation for Sunday’s match against Levante, and also to get all the players back to match fitness after their week off, Guardiola held two training sessions on Thursday. The later session, held in the afternoon at 18:00, proved to be much like the training held in the morning.

The coaching staff worked with 18 first team players as well as Thiago, Miño and Bartra from the reserves. Newcomer Ibrahim Afellay, who trained for the first time with the team on Wednesday, already appears to be a fully integrated member of the team, adding to the positive atmosphere and garnering the smiles of the other members of the group.

The squad will return to training on Friday morning (at 11am) in a session which will also take place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.

Pictures from both sessions: