Barcelona Women's Team Starts Preseason Camp in Andorra la Vella

FC Barcelona's women's team held a public training session at Andorra la Vella's Estadi Comunal on Saturday morning, starting at 11am with limited capacity until full.

The squad, which arrived in the Principality on August 6 for a five-day preseason camp ending August 10, has praised the local conditions. Swiss forward Sydney Schertenleib told club media on Friday that "Andorra is like Switzerland with the weather and mountains and is perfect. We know preseason will be tough but we are very happy to be here with everyone to improve every day."

Former FC Andorra coach Eder Sarabia attended Friday's session, speaking with head coach Pere Romeu and players including Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro and Vicky López.

The group of 30 players and staff has focused on physical, tactical and team-building work at the Joan Samarra i Vila stadium and nearby Serradells sports centre while staying at a Prat de la Creu hotel. Captains Marta Torrejón and Irene Paredes led the arrival, with Aitana Bonmatí recovering from injury alongside Cata Coll, Clàudia Pina, Patri Guijarro and Caroline Graham Hansen. New signings include Kerolin Nicoli from Manchester City, US goalkeeper Tyler McCamey, Martina Fernández from Everton, Renee van Asten from Ajax, and Barça B prospects Julia Torres, Charlotta Ohlander, Noa Jiménez, Rosalia and Liv Pennock. Absences include Alexia Putellas, Mapi León (now at London City Lionesses), Salma Paralluelo (OL Reign) and Ona Batlle (Arsenal).

Prior to the camp, women's football director Xavier Puig met Andorra la Vella officials including first consul major Sergi González, consul minor Olalla Losada and councillors Xavier Surana, Susanna Mosquera and Jordi Cabanes. González described the European champions as "a great team, the best in women's football history" and noted over €1 million in recent stadium upgrades for events like the Small States Games and FC Andorra matches.

The visit coincides with FC Andorra's away games on Thursday and Friday, enabling weekend recovery. It follows a club scouting trip three weeks prior and Joan Laporta's February election commitment. No local friendlies are planned before matches against Montpellier on August 12 at Johan Cruyff and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 21 at 8pm.

This represents the women's first-team's preseason debut in Andorra, similar to men's camps from 1983-1987 and six encounters with FC Andorra between 1978 and 1990. Local officials see it as an inspiration for youth, especially girls, in elite women's football.