Hansi Flick gives Barcelona two-day reset after Real Madrid defeat

Hansi Flick believes physical and mental fatigue contributed to Barcelona’s recent drop in performance and has made rest the first priority in his plan to revive the team after their 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid.

The German manager was particularly concerned by the energy levels shown in Barcelona’s meetings with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. He felt the side had lost some of the intensity that marked the start of the season and is now focused on restoring the players’ fitness and concentration before a return to training.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Flick’s concerns began to grow during Barcelona’s trip to Seville 12 days ago. Adverse weather conditions in Catalonia forced the squad to return to their hotel after spending more than an hour on the plane. That was followed by a demanding journey to Paris, while a succession of injuries added to the coaching staff’s concerns.

The same issues became apparent during the latest El Clasico, when Barcelona appeared to lack part of the sharpness and vitality they had shown in the opening weeks of the campaign. Flick is now looking for ways to help the players recover that level.

Time to recover

Barcelona have a week without a match, allowing Flick to give the squad two days off in the hope that the players can regain both their physical and mental freshness.

The coach wants his players to follow dietary instructions and give proper attention to recovery. He also wants them to step away from the immediate pressures of football for a short period, clear their minds and return with greater focus.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will provide a limited exception to that plan. Lamine Yamal, Juan Garcia and Rodri are expected to travel to attend the event, despite Flick’s desire to use the break as a genuine opportunity for the team to rest.

Barcelona are due to begin more detailed work on tactical issues and their on-field performance from Wednesday. Flick’s immediate belief, however, is that time away from the pressure of competition will play the biggest part in helping the squad return to form.

Trust in La Masia

Injuries remain one of the main problems facing the coaching staff, particularly in defence. Flick believes several of the injuries have resulted from challenges and physical contact rather than necessarily being caused by shortcomings in the team’s conditioning.

The manager has previously stressed the importance of continuing to trust La Masia’s young players to cover for absent team-mates. That approach was evident in the Clasico, when full-back Alex Campos was involved, while midfielder Orian Jorin was given an opportunity in the absence of Dani Olmo.

Barcelona are expected to continue drawing on academy players in the coming weeks as Flick manages the injury situation. His task is to rebuild the squad’s physical and mental freshness while responding to the setback against Real Madrid.