Al-Sadd continue training, Xavi focuses on physical fitness

The Al-Sadd first team players continued training today Sunday, after a day of rest. The players had earlier this week resumed training after the break enforced by the coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, the team practiced at the club’s training centre, with the players divided into two groups according to the health protocols put in place by the Qatar Stars League.

Head coach Xavi Hernandez was keen to increase the players’ fitness levels, as part of the preparation process before the league resumes in July. The players also worked on training with the ball, which included passing and shooting, while maintaining distance between each other.

Algerian international striker Baghdad Bounedjah was a prominent part of Sunday’s training session, showing a clear improvement in his physical levels, after recovering from a muscle surgery.

Nine players – Saad Al-Dossari, Meshaal Barsham, Abdul Karim Hassan, Tarek Salman, Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi Boualem, Akram Afif, Muhammad Waad and Hassan Al-Haydos – were absent from Al-Sadd’s training session, as they are currently at the national team training camp. Meanwhile, Ali Asad and Salem Al-Hajri were also unavailable for training, while they continue to undergo treatment and recuperate following Achilles injuries.

Currently, 15 players are participating in Al-Sadd’s training sessions, including the four foreign players – Baghdad Bounedjah, Nam Tae-hee, Jung Woo-young and Marco Fabian. The team had earlier announced the departure of Spanish midfielder Gabi in May, by mutual consent, after he spent two seasons with the Wolves.