Barça's training ground benefits from installation of new hybrid surface

Barcelona's main training pitch, the Tito Vilanova pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, is finally ready for use once again. 

So far this season the first team have had to train on Pitch 7 while work was ongoing on the Tito Vilanova pitch. A new hybrid grass has been planted with the latest technology. It has already been trialed by the players, although they have preferred to continue on Pitch 7 while it beds in. 

The hybrid grass was chosen because it has the same characteristics as the Camp Nou surface, although both pitches were laid by different companies. RoyalVerd were in charge of the Ciutat Esportiva re-fit this summer, the company that has also worked on Espanyol, Girona and Getafe's pitches, improving them in recent years. 

Barça are also having the same grass installed on Pitch 2 and Pitch 3 at their training base, although work on those pitches is expected to extend for another 10 days. Pitch 4 and Pitch 7 will continue to use natural grass. 

The players will no longer have to use golf buggies to transport them to the training pitch from the dressing room, as they have done so far this season, and the media won't have to walk as far for the open sessions.