Hansi Flick highlights the importance of physical preparation – ‘Much more than just playing the ball’

Appointing Hansi Flick as head coach at FC Barcelona is seen by many as a significant shift in the club’s culture, given his rigorous training methods and emphasis on vertical football.

However, this change is considered necessary to adapt to the evolving landscape of modern football.

The manager’s success at Bayern Munich highlights his exceptional qualities, and Barça hopes he will practice many of the principles he preached in Germany to help restore the Catalans’ prominence in European football.

Emphasis on physical preparation

Since taking over the helm at Barcelona, Flick has implemented several intensive training sessions to help his team arrive in top form for the season.

And Hansi Flick emphasized in his interview with ‘Barça One‘ that team fitness and physical preparation are crucial priorities for him.

“For me it is crucial that you have the physique for each step, it is basic, you need the physique, although the technical and tactical side is also basic, which is everything that football includes,” he remarked.

Flick gives a lot of importance to physical preparation. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)

The German added that there is more to football than just having the ball. Being proactive off the ball and having the required fitness is essential to maintaining dominance throughout the match.

“Football is much more than just playing the ball, it is something else and for me, it is crucial to be fit,” he said.

“The first physical part is with Julio [Tous], with Pepe [Conde] and Rafa [Maldonado]. And the part with the ball is ours. So we divide it a bit and I think that is how we work,” Flick elaborated.

“It is totally different to how they had it before. Especially also from the point of view of fitness, because it is a great idea.”

The German tactician has yet to assemble his full squad, as many first-team players are still on vacation.

However, those who have returned can attest to the demanding training sessions Flick has introduced, as he is keen to enhance his team’s physical conditioning.