Hansi Flick urges Barcelona players to listen to their bodies and avoid repeat of last season’s injury problems

Hansi Flick has introduced a new approach at Barcelona, urging his players to recognise physical warning signs and avoid taking unnecessary risks during international breaks.

According to Sport, the Barcelona manager believes the squad’s ability to listen to their bodies will be crucial as the club attempts to prevent a repeat of the injury problems that disrupted last season.

Flick and his coaching staff identified player absences as one of the main reasons Barcelona failed to progress as far as hoped in the Champions League and did not achieve all of their targets. Raphinha was one of the clearest examples, spending a lengthy period out with physical problems which were primarily linked to excessive workloads during his involvement with the Brazil national team.

Several other players were also affected, including Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, Ferran Torres, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Lamine Yamal.

The coaching staff have therefore closely assessed how the squad handled the latest international break, which lasted about three weeks – longer than usual. Barcelona are determined to avoid a build-up of problems caused by heavy playing workloads and frequent travel, factors which affected the team’s performances last season.

Flick is understood to be highly satisfied that his players did not take unnecessary risks and showed they were prepared to stop when their bodies gave them cause for concern.

Raphinha and Eric Garcia provided two examples of the new approach. Raphinha, who suffered right-thigh pain last season after playing for Brazil, asked to be substituted at half-time in the match against Australia after feeling discomfort.

Eric Garcia, meanwhile, withdrew during the warm-up before Spain’s first match and returned to Barcelona for medical examinations.

In both cases, the Barcelona coaching staff considered the decisions not to take risks the correct ones, with the aim of preventing potentially more serious physical problems. Subsequent medical tests confirmed that neither player had suffered a serious injury.

Barcelona want that attitude to become the standard from now on, reducing risks in the best interests of the club and the team. Flick believes this could prove important as his side attempts to compete for every available trophy during a particularly demanding campaign.

The schedule is already set to become congested. Barcelona are preparing to play five matches in two weeks. After facing Getafe on Saturday, the team will make three difficult trips before the Clasico against Real Madrid on 25 October.

Those away fixtures are against Real Betis, Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain.

Flick’s staff will continue to use squad rotation during this demanding period. Before the international break, the German told the group that he expected to have all available players at his disposal following the start of the La Liga season.