Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has sharply increased the physical intensity of pre-season training in the second week of preparations, as he looks to raise the squad’s fitness levels ahead of the new campaign.
Working closely with new fitness coach Benjamin Kugel, Flick extended and toughened Monday’s second training session, part of a demanding schedule that will see the team complete three sessions per day through to Sunday, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
The evening workout was lengthened on the German’s orders and focused heavily on physical conditioning, underlining his determination to impose a more rigorous regime on the squad he inherited this summer.
Araujo back with first team after World Cup
The session featured the same group of players who had taken part in the morning’s work-out, with one significant addition: Uruguay international Ronald Araujo.
The central defender has rejoined group training with the first team following his participation in the World Cup, giving Flick a major boost in defence as he shapes his plans for the coming season.
Araujo’s return comes at a time when the coaching staff are attempting to embed new tactical ideas alongside a stricter fitness programme, with the emphasis firmly on building robustness and intensity across the squad.
Youth and B-team players continue with senior squad
Alongside the established first-teamers, a substantial contingent from Barcelona’s B team and youth ranks continue to train under Flick as part of their pre-season integration with the senior side.
Those involved include: Orian Guirene, Alex Gonzalez, Oscar Gistau, Hamza Abdelkarim, Ibrahim Diarra, Shane Kluivert, Ebrima Tunkara, Toni Fernandez, Joel Fernandez, Jofre Torrents, Tomi Marquez, Brian Varineas, Alvaro Cortes, Aaron Yakobishvili, Iker Rodriguez and Xavi Espart.
Xavi Espart has recently rejoined the group after being granted three days of rest to celebrate his triumph with Spain at the Under-19 European Championship.
The presence of such a large group of academy and B-team players reflects Barcelona’s long-standing commitment to promoting youth talent and also ensures Flick has the numbers required to sustain the higher-intensity sessions now being implemented.
Illness sidelines academy prospect
One academy player, Hafedh Garima, remains absent from training due to illness.
The club expects him to recover shortly and return to work with the rest of the group, adding yet another young option to the coach’s extended pre-season pool.
With Flick signalling his intention to build a fitter and more physically resilient Barcelona side, this intensified start to pre-season combined with the reintegration of World Cup players and the exposure of youngsters to first-team demands marks an early statement of intent from the new German manager.
