Jorge Sampaoli’s side are on the up and a breathless, brilliant display threatened to deflate Barcelona until the Catalan side’s Argentinian talisman sprang into life
Samir Nasri has finished training, his heart monitor laid on the window ledge with the others. The scans say he shouldn’t play but he says he will and his manager appreciates it. He’s perhaps La Liga’s best midfielder so far; the man his coach says makes the team breathe. Steven N’Zonzi, perhaps the second-best, ambles by in flip-flops and baggy shorts. Lifesized inflatable footballers lean against the fence; actual footballers ride buggies, alighting at the gym. Sergio Escudero grins and staff embrace him. News just in: he’s in the Spain squad. The groundsman, in cricketer’s shirt and sunhat, takes corners wide on his lawnmower. Alongside, a stand is being built; the B team play here and they’re second in Segunda, occupying a prohibited promotion place. As for the first team, they’re just three points off the top.
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