Barcelona to remain in Europe for 2012-13 pre-season

The Catalans are wary of placing too heavy a burden on players who will be competing in Euro 2012 and the Olympics this summer after a draining 2011-12 season.Barcelona have announced that they will remain in Europe for the duration of their 2012-13 pre-season campaign in order to lessen the threat of player burnout.The Catalans released a statement on their official website explaining that they will not be undertaking any trips to Asia or the United States given several members of their squad will be competing in Euro 2012 and the Olympics during the summer.The Blaugrana also acknowledged that their stars will be going into those tournaments off the back of a draining 2011-12 campaign which has already seen them reach the final of the Copa del Rey and the semi-finals of the Champions League.Barca also expressed their "thanks to all the fans around the world who have been looking forward to the team visiting them" and revealed that the club "remain committed to further international tours in the coming years."