FC Barcelona News: 6 August 2013; Barca Train in Bangkok, Thailand, Neymar Feeling Better

Thanks in Thailand | FC Barcelona
Apart from games, commercial events and charity work, protocol is another issue that needs taking care of on tours. Such was the case on Monday in Bangkok, just a few hours after the team arrived. FC Barcelona made the traditional floral offering before an image of the Thai monarchs on an altar, accompanied by the country’s traditional salute, the Wai Prah.

First training session in Bangkok | FC Barcelona
The team trained at Thai Army Sports Stadium, which is located in Bangkok’s extensive military complex. All 24 players who made the trip to Thailand took part in today’s training session. For the first time since he picked up his injury, Cristian Tello trained alongside his team-mates. Later on he worked apart from the group to continue his recovery process.

Second training session in Bangkok | FC Barcelona
After a busy first day of the Asian Tour, the Barça squad trained in Bangkok in the first of two sessions on Tuesday. All 24 of the players on the tour trained normally apart from Jonathan Dos Santos, who worked out in isolation as he battles to recover from the pulled quadriceps muscle that kept him out of the Joan Gamper Trophy match last Friday.

The first video from the 2013 Asia Tour | FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona’s first day in Thailand was intense. After a 10-hour flight from the Middle East, the players attended various events and then trained at Thai Army Sports Stadium. Here’s an overview of Barça’s first day in the Asian country.

Day 1: The 2013 Asia Tour blog | FC Barcelona
At the end of each day we’ll go over the interesting stories, anecdotes and give a bit of inside information from FC Barcelona’s 2013 Asia Tour. Perhaps some of these stories, when told on their own, don’t merit their own posts, but when told in concert they give insight into what the Barça players experienced that day. Let’s start, these are the stories from Barça’s first 12 hours in Bangkok:

Neymar: 'I feel fine' - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
"I feel fine. I’ve improved after the operation and I’ve no problems training. I’m getting better," he told reporters, before being asked on how he was settling in after his summer arrival. "I hope it’s going to be a special season. I want to do well and adapt [to the team] really quickly. "I have great expectations at Barcelona and want to win trophies," he added.

Passion for Neymar at Nike event | FC Barcelona
The magic and charisma of Neymar has reached Thailand. The Brazilian was the focus of most attention this morning at Paragon Park, a mall in Bangkok where Nike organised an event with four of the players. The Brazilian was joined by Gerard Piqué, Alexis and Adriano.

Piqué: "Cesc will stay at Barça" | FC Barcelona
Gerard Piqué is convinced that Cesc Fàbregas will stay at FC Barcelona despite the offers that the press is saying are coming from Manchester United. "He will stay at Barça because that’s his dream," said one of Cesc’s most intimate friends. "He always looks calm about it to me. He’s a very good player. It is because of those qualities that teams are interested in him."

Everton must be patient with Deulofeu, says Roberto Martinez - Goal.com
Roberto Martinez has told Everton fans to be patient with 19-year-old Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu. The Spanish winger, who caught the eye playing for the Camp Nou side's B team last season, featured for the Toffees for the first time as a substitute in a friendly defeat against Real Madrid on Saturday night.

Greatest Managers, No. 18: Pep Guardiola - ESPN FC
As the plaudits came thick and fast ahead of a second Champions League final in three seasons, Josep Guardiola attempted to play down the dynastic potential of his Barcelona side. "This team can never compete with the Dream Team," he said. "They started this."

Three games under suspicion over match-fixing - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
"These are for supposed irregularities surrounding the outcome of matches. The suspicions are for various reasons, from unusual betting patterns to events before and after matches were played," Tebas confirmed at a Press conference alongside the Secretary of State for Sport Miguel Cardenal and Girona President Joaquim Boadas.

Man City target Pepe coy on Madrid future - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
The Portuguese international worked under City boss Manuel Pellegrini when he was in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Chilean is looking to strengthen his defence in light of an injury to Matija Nastasic suffered during a pre-season game in Hong Kong. With Kolo Toure having joined Liverpool in the summer and doubts still persisting over Joleon Lescott’s stay at the club, the 31-year-old is understood to be top of Pellegrini’s shopping list to shore up the middle of his defence.

Roberto Soldado completes move to Tottenham from Valencia | Sky Sports
Tottenham have completed the signing of Roberto Soldado from Valencia after the striker passed a medical at White Hart Lane. Soldado has become Tottenham's most expensive player, arriving from Spain for around £26m. The Spain international is expected to make his debut against familiar opposition, when Spurs host Espanyol on 10 August.

Fulham and Real Betis share a 1-1 draw in pre-season friendly | Sky Sports Football
Steve Sidwell put Fulham ahead in the 13th minute when he headed in Bryan Ruiz's corner before Betis levelled 10 minutes into the second half through Nosa Igiebor's close-range strike. Ruiz had a penalty claim turned down for a trip before Rodallega's effort was chalked off for offside to leave the scores level.

Valladolid unveil Barmettler - Yahoo! Eurosport UK
The Pucela have signed the 26-year-old from the Liechtenstein-based club Vaduz, and the Dominican international has conceded he can't wait to get started. "I spoke with the coach and he has given me a good feeling," Barmettler told a press conference. "This is a step forward for me. Every player wants to play in Spain.