Barcelona president Joan Laporta visited training yesterday ahead of tonight's Copa del Rey clash with Unionistas.

Laporta wanted to give his players a lift after their Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday.

Marca says Laporta, accompanied by vice-president Rafa Yuste and sporting director Deco, spoke directly to the players and Xavi and his coaching staff. He conveyed a message of optimism and also unity to them. His speech was "totally motivational and fully positive".

Laporta has not made any statements to the media since the painful defeat to Real Madrid. As Xavi did in his press conference, Laporta reminded the players their three most important titles of the season are still at stake: League, Cup and Champions. He repeated, in addition, one of the mottos of the institution: "Tots units fem força".

Xavi later stated: "He is the most positive person of all, even more than me. He is eager and motivated.

"He has conveyed to us a message of faith and trust in the staff and players."