Guardiola Rests Key Players For Barcelona's Trip To Mallorca

Having seen Real Madrid slip up last night, the coach has made some last minute changes to his squad...

May 17, 2009 10:29:01 AM

More On :  FC Barcelona, Mallorca, Mallorca vs FC Barcelona
Pep Guardiola, Barcelona, Copa del Rey (MARCA)

With the title now guaranteed, Pep Guardiola has made sweeping changes to his Barca squad for the trip to Mallorca.

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While Guardiola had initially selected all his available players for the trip, he has now asked Gerard Pique, Yaya Toure, Xavi, Lionel Messi and Jose Manuel Pinto (who has a slight knock) to stay at home. They are all expected to be rested until the Champions League final.

Interestingly, Carles Puyol and Samuel Eto'o are still in the squad.

Puyol has recently come back from injury, so he may need some playing time, but Eto'o has been woefully out of form, and Guardiola may want him to find his scoring boots before the final.

The game will also give Guardiola the chance to try Martin Caceres and Sylvinho in defence, in case he intends to use them for the Champions League final.

Xavi Torres, Abraham, Thiago, Jeffren and Fontas have been called up from the youth squad.

Arjun Miglani, Goal.com
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