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According to a recent report from SPORT, Barcelona are generally pleased with the physical improvements in their preparation and the positive changes seen in their recent matches.
However, they remain cautious, acknowledging that it is too early to make broad conclusions.
Joan Laporta and the club’s sporting team believe that Barcelona’s performance was significantly impacted by their poor form in the latter part of last season.
The team’s struggles during the final stages of matches contributed to disappointing results. To address this issue, the club opted to bring in Hansi Flick, who is known for his strict discipline and ability to maximise his players’ physical potential.
Laporta has frequently mentioned that a significant part of Barcelona’s prospects for improvement this season rests on the coaching change.
Although it is too soon to make any sweeping judgments, and while Barcelona fans are understandably excited, there have been noticeable improvements in the team’s performance over the first four games of the season.
Signs are visible and players are happy
So far in the season, the team has appeared more energetic and focused, maintaining a higher level of performance throughout the matches.
This is a marked improvement from the previous season, where there were frequent lapses in the final stages of games.
The change in training methods, particularly with the arrival of Julio Tous, has had a significant impact. There is now a greater emphasis on physical conditioning, as the team’s style of play has become more vertical and less positional.
This requires players to be more physically active and able to cover more ground quickly. Pedri recently shed light on it by explaining that the players are working hard and that shows in the game.
Raphinha and Alejandro Balde also highlighted the differences in the new training approach, adding that Flick puts more emphasis on the physical aspect.
In conclusion, while it is still too early for major declarations or comprehensive assessments, both the players, who experience the training firsthand and the overall observations suggest a clear shift in trend.
The success of this season will ultimately depend on results and the effective recovery of players to manage workloads and prevent injuries. If these factors align, Barcelona could see smoother progress and better performance throughout the season
