Barcelona pre-season preparations in full swing as surprise visitor shows up at training

As the major international tournaments conclude, players must now divert their focus back to their domestic duties.

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona are gearing up for pre-season preparations with the team hard at work over the past few days.

The squad will head out on a US tour on July 28, during which Flick will get back together with the players who took part in the UEFA Euro 2024.

A surprise visitor

Interestingly, as relayed by SPORT, during today’s training session, Barcelona president Joan Laporta visited to share his first impressions with the coach.

Laporta wanted to take a look at the changed approach and methodology adopted by the new manager and availed the opportunity to speak with him. Flick told Laporta how happy he was with his new staff members.

Sporting director Deco and football co-ordinator Bojan were also present, but from their offices to observe the team’s dynamics.

Training session

Before heading to the pitch, the players had a video session on Friday, followed by activation and stretching exercises.

The new man in charge. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona)

The training included a rondo with three groups: first-team players such as Ansu Fati, Inaki Pena, Oriol Romeu, and others, along with the reserve team.

Flick intends to arrange a small-sided match session in the afternoon, with 8–9 players per team, to further hone the tactical components of the team. This will also provide more footage for analysis.

Even though he is still waiting on several important players to arrive, Flick is pleased with the young players who have been training these past few days.

Just before the team departs for the United States, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ilkay Gundogan, and Raphinha will join Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen.

After the American tour, the Spaniards and Jules Kounde will join since all players have a three-week break. Still, a few players might decide to skip Barcelona altogether and head straight to the States.

Who will Barcelona face in the pre-season tour?

The Catalan giants will face some of Europe’s top teams in the pre-season, shaking off the rust against elite competition.

Barcelona will kick off their campaign against Manchester City, followed by matches against Real Madrid and AC Milan.

The pre-season will be a good opportunity for Flick to test out new strategies and get to know his players’ attributes better.