Hansi Flick subscribes to diesel

BarcelonaHansi Flick's third project began a month ago, when the World Cup semifinals still had to be played. Resigned, the German saw that he would have to do a good part of the preseason without the backbone of his team, since at that time up to ten players were still competing in the tournament in the United States and, therefore, would take a few weeks to return.

In fact, if it weren't because the German coach has been in Barcelona for two years now, it could be said that, in terms of preparation, this summer of 2026 is practically identical to that of 2024, when the Eurocup was played: a few initial days with few first-team players and many reserve footballers who either help to supplement the squad, or take advantage of the showcase to attract Flick's attention and find a place among the big names for the future.

It was supposed to be, however, a summer with fewer uncertainties in terms of ins and outs, because with Barça entering the 1:1 rule –the club knew it since the spring–, the intention was to finalize the squad much earlier. But Flick's wishes have not always corresponded with what Deco could offer, who has encountered more obstacles than expected and will not be able to finalize the team until the end of August.

A circumstance that has not entirely pleased Flick, who, aware that he already had to work against the clock this summer due to the World Cup coinciding, wanted to have the squad assembled as soon as possible – as Real Madrid has done, for example. But the coach, who has always behaved like a man of the club, has preferred to be understanding with the technical secretariat and has opted to adapt to the reality the Barça is experiencing. He knows that getting angry won't fix anything either.

The big novelty in the return to training

Awaiting the arrival of a new one, and while waiting for the arrivals of Rodri and Cancelo to be definitively closed, all the players have returned to training. And the big news for all of them has been seeing Benjamin Kugel, the fitness coach who replaces the controversial Julio Tous. Kugel, a compatriot of Flick, has landed at Barça after multiple complaints from the footballers about the injuries that occurred last season, which led to a change in the arrivals of Rodri and Cancelo, all the players have returned to training. And the big news for all of them has been seeing Benjamin Kugel, the fitness coach who replaces the controversial Julio Tous. Kugel, a compatriot of Flick, has landed at Barça after multiple complaints from the footballers about the injuries that occurred last season, which led to a change in the staff. Tous remains at the club, but no longer has a say in the day-to-day operations of the first team.

While on vacation, all the players have followed an individualized training plan. They can escape from football, but they cannot lose their physical fitness. Nothing new in elite football, with the exception that there are more and more controls to avoid the old scenes where athletes returned a few kilos heavier. The footballers also know what they are doing, aware that being overweight means falling behind their teammates, with the obvious risk of losing a place in the starting eleven.

The players are returning in better shape, but that doesn't mean they are ready to play at their best. From now on, Kugel's job will be to get them to 100% while minimizing the risk of injuries. In other words, the road will be long and the official season, which for Barça begins on Sunday the 23rd in Elche, will kick off without them being fully in shape yet. "We won't be at 100% until after the international break," Flick warned after the triangular in Udine. An idea that he repeated after the thrashing in Basel.

This preseason, described as "atypical and strange" by the coach, no longer includes the classic intercontinental tour. Between the disastrous experience of last season in Korea and Japan, and the fact that with fewer internationals available it was more complicated to make money, the club opted for a lower-profile stay in England, without jet lag and facing rivals who have less substance, but who served equally to gain momentum.

Result-oriented play will prevail over good play in the first matches

From the Joan Gamper Sports City, they are downplaying the feelings left by the team in the first preseason matches, especially at a physical level. Besides the significant absences due to holidays, they also talk about a competitive rhythm that is increasing and designed so that the team has a more constant level throughout the season, without the typical ups and downs that occurred in months like November, nicknamed by Flick himself as ""shit november".

With the official competition just around the corner, Flick will have to perform many balancing acts in the initial sprint, as he will have to play seven matches in less than thirty days. Duels where results will take precedence over everything else, with many rotations and changes to the starting lineup. The objective – as warned in the locker room – will be limited to losing the minimum number of points. The wonderful attacking play that has delighted Barcelona fans in the last two seasons is not expected until October.