Motivational training session with Àlex Roca

Barça Atlètic are working hard for their promotion playoff against Real Madrid Castilla, and on Thursday they received a surprise visit from Àlex Roca, ambassador of the Barça Foundation and who has very close links to the team.

Albert, Àlex Roca's personal trainer, joined the usual coaching staff to focus especially an team-work and bonding, which is one of the main reasons why a man with 76% disability was able to run a marathon last March 19 in the company of his wife Mari Carmen Maza and the rest of his team.

Roca and Barça Atlètic

Àlex Roca has long ties to the Barça reserve team. Last December he was with them to give a motivational talk based on his personal story and the need to take on life's problems with determination.

A few days later, he was at the Estadi Johan Cruyff for the 2-1 defeat of Real Unión and Arnau Tenas presented him with a shirt signed by the whole team. Since the, Roca had a close relationship with the reserves and attends many of its matches.

This weekend brings a huge showdown between the Barça and Real Madrid reserves with a place in the second division next season at stake. "Remember that you won't get anywhere alone" said Roca. "Only by working as a team can you achieve what you need to do."

The first leg is this Saturday at 9pm CEST at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.