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Pique sits out Barça training ahead of Athletic test but Vidal returns

The defender worked alone in he gym one day before Thursday's Copa quarterfinal

Arturo Vidal ya se ejercita con el grupo / | sport
German Bona

Barcelona trained at the Ciutat Esportiva on Wednesday morning ahead of Thursday's Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Athletic Club in Bilbao. 

The atmosphere was relaxed thanks to the coaching staff, who started the session with a fun game following the crisis generated by Lionel Messi's response to Eric Abidal's interview with SPORT. 

The big news was the presence of Arturo Vidal and the absence of Gerard Pique. Vidal missed the Levante game but returned to full training on Wednesday. 

Pique, though, sat out the session and instead worked alone in the gym. Remember he's suspended for Sunday's game at Real Betis, but he could also miss Athletic with a minor injury. 

 

Also involved in the session were a number of Barça B players: goalkeeper Iñaki Peña; defenders Dani Morer, Araujo and Chumi; midfielders Riqui Puig and Collado; and forwards Kike Saverio and Álex Collado.