Image source: sports.yahoo.com
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has cancelled Friday’s scheduled training session to ease the workload on his players ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final, with the squad described as somewhat loaded following their resounding semi-final victory over Athletic Club.
Hansi Flick Scraps Barcelona Training Session to Manage Player Fatigue Before Final
Flick initially split his squad into two separate blocks to manage fatigue and recovery after the semi-final triumph. The starters remained at the team hotel following a recovery-focused programme under staff supervision, while players who came on in the second half and unused substitutes travelled to the training ground to maintain rhythm ahead of the final.
The German manager has now evolved that setup by choosing to take no risks after such an intense semi-final encounter. Instead of the originally planned Friday afternoon training session on the pitch, the team will remain at the concentration hotel and complete a gentle, low-intensity routine designed to aid recovery rather than push physical limits.
Flick’s decision reflects a clear intention to arrive at the final with as many players as possible in peak condition. By cutting back on the workload, the Barcelona boss wants to ensure the freshness and muscle preservation required for the Super Cup final, with the entire squad set to regroup on Saturday for a complete session to fine-tune details.
There is positive injury news for Barcelona in goal, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen expected to rejoin full group training on Saturday after returning to Saudi Arabia. The German goalkeeper had briefly left the camp and travelled back to Barcelona due to discomfort in his operated knee, but subsequent checks showed the issue was nothing more than a scare, clearing him to resume normal work with his teammates.
