Barcelona appointed Hansi Flick as head coach in the summer of 2024 with the intention of galvanising the team following a disappointing season under Xavi. But the German was just one part of a broader overhaul.
The Catalans also secured the additions of a whole new team of physical trainers and fitness coaches,led by Julio Tous,previously with Chelsea,Juventus and Inter.
Barcelona expected to see a meaningful boost in the team’s fitness levels with those appointments, as well as an advancement in the intensity of training sessions, which club executives viewed as insufficient during Xavi’s time in charge.
When he arrived, Tous gave an interview to Barca’s media channels, where he said his methods would also help with injury prevention.
“If you prepare the player’s muscle progressively to cope with more slowdowns and changes of pace, eventually the muscle will be better prepared to reduce the injury risk,” he said.
“We can’t say injuries are going to be eradicated, but it is very clear from our experience and investigations conducted that the decrease in the total number of injuries (with the exercises he planned to implement in training) is drastic.I am talking about a 50 per cent difference compared to doing nothing.”
But 12 players have suffered injuries this season – compared to eight at this stage last term. Multiple dressing-room sources believe those have contributed to Barcelona’s dip in form this season, after winning a domestic treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and supercopa de Espana titles last term (as well as reaching the Champions League semi-finals).
Despite having more individual injuries this season, the overall numbers of games missed has been shorter. After 13 La Liga games in the 2024-2025 season,the eight players who had suffered injuries had missed 51 matches combined. This term, with 13 injuries, the combined total of missed La Liga matches is 45.
Flick’s team suffered defeat in El Clasico last month which left them second in La liga, five points behind Real Madrid, with five points less than at this stage last season. That has now been cut to one point after Madrid drew their last two games, while Barca won both theirs. In the Champions League, they have seven points after four games, compared to nine this time last year.
The Athletic spoke to multiple sources to understand the tensions that have built up due to the team’s physical preparation over more than a year. Among other things, we have learned:
* Players, including Lamine yamal, have complained to the club about this season’s readaptation exercises
* Why a recent Raphinha setback proved to be a turning point
Barcelona’s Injury Crisis: Players’ Concerns Lead to Readaptation Department Shake-Up
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Barcelona is grappling with a concerning injury situation, prompting significant changes within its medical and fitness departments. Several players have expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s readaptation processes following injuries, culminating in the removal of personnel overseen by head of fitness, Antonio Tous, from the readaptation department.
The issues came to light with young star Lamine Yamal, who suffered a groin injury upon returning from international duty in September. While he initially returned to action, a subsequent setback after a Champions League match against PSG led to further rest. Yamal, after receiving treatment from Tous’ team and a period of recovery including a holiday in Croatia, voiced his dissatisfaction with the handling of his recovery, requesting treatment from other club staff – a request that was ultimately granted.
Another case highlighting the problems is that of left-back Alejandro Balde, who sustained a hamstring injury during a training session last month. Sources indicate the injury occurred after balde incorrectly used a piece of gym equipment, feeling he had received incorrect advice.
Multiple sources confirm that other players share similar concerns regarding the readaptation process.
The situation reached a critical point before El Clasico, with coach Hansi Flick reportedly frustrated by Raphinha’s latest setback. Following the match, which saw Pedri suffer a hamstring tear, the club held meetings and decided to revert to a readaptation setup similar to last season, a move that has been positively received by the dressing room. Tous’ fitness team now focuses primarily on the team’s daily physical preparation.
“Barca is the moast self-destructive club in the world,” a source close to the backroom staff recently told The Athletic,highlighting a pattern of internal disruption that extends beyond player welfare and into the club’s broader operations. The source noted that while such issues are often associated with presidential elections or player transfers, they are now impacting the core functioning of the team.
Barcelona’s Internal Divisions Over Injury Treatment and Hansi Flick’s Challenge
Barcelona is navigating a period of internal tension regarding injury management, coinciding with a slight dip in on-field performance. Recent reports highlight disagreements within the club’s backroom staff about the best course of treatment for key players, most notably midfielder Gavi, and the challenge this presents for new head coach Hansi Flick. This situation has surfaced as Barcelona attempts to regain its competitive edge.
Gavi’s Knee Injury: A Point of Contention
The case of Gavi’s knee injury, specifically a meniscus tear, exemplifies the differing opinions within Barcelona’s medical team. As reported by The Athletic in September 2023, a conservative approach to treatment was initially favored for the 21-year-old. However, some members of the backroom staff advocated for surgery to address the issue more directly and swiftly. https://theathletic.com/4889991/2023/09/18/barcelona-gavi-injury-flick-staff/
Ultimately, Barcelona opted for the conservative route initially, but when it proved ineffective, Gavi underwent surgery. The surgery sidelined Gavi for a significant period, and he is expected to miss a substantial portion of the season. Flick’s Man-Management Skills Tested
The current injury crisis, coupled with inconsistent results, has brought these underlying tensions to light. Hansi Flick, appointed as barcelona’s head coach in May 2024, https://www.barcelonafc.com/en/news/2024/05/hans-dieter-flick-new-fc-barcelona-coach faces the challenge of not only improving the team’s performance but also fostering cohesion within his backroom staff.
Flick is known for his strong man-management skills, a quality praised as his arrival. He is now tasked with extending these skills to his support team,encouraging them to listen to and accommodate the players’ needs.This is crucial for maintaining a positive atmosphere and ensuring a unified approach to player welfare.
Recent Recovery and Future Outlook
Barcelona is beginning to see key players return to fitness, including goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and winger Raphinha, both of whom featured in recent matches. Ter Stegen started in a recent game, signaling his return to full health. https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/raphinha-ter-stegen-return-help-barcelona-beat-mallorca-2-1-2024-11-25/
whether Flick and his team can successfully navigate these internal challenges and steer Barcelona back to consistent success remains to be seen. The coming months will be critical in determining whether they can resolve the tensions and build a cohesive, high-performing team.
Key Takeaways:
* Internal disagreements exist within Barcelona’s medical staff regarding injury treatment protocols.
* Gavi’s knee injury highlighted these divisions, with differing opinions on conservative versus surgical intervention.
* Hansi Flick is tasked with unifying his backroom staff and fostering a collaborative environment.
* the return of key players like Ter Stegen and Raphinha offers a positive sign for Barcelona’s future.
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