Hansi Flick plans an intense training schedule for Barcelona stars before US tour

If one had to pick one aspect of Barcelona under Xavi Hernandez to improve, it would probably be the intensity in training.

There were reports of internal dissatisfaction over the level of training sessions towards the end of last season, and the arrival of Hansi Flick appears to have set that straight.

Known for his prioritization of players’ fitness and physical level, the German tactician has made players sweat it out in the first week of training.

The drills, however, only get harder as revealed by Mundo Deportivo.

Hectic week ahead

The Blaugrana were put through an intense workout this week starting on Tuesday and had five continuous days of physical drills including double sessions on both Wednesday and Friday.

The manager has given the squad a day off tomorrow but training resumes as usual on Monday.

Hansi Flick making the Barcelona players work hard in training. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)

The schedule for the team becomes more gruelling next week as the manager has scheduled eight training sessions for the next week.

Barcelona will train on all days of next week barring Saturday, and the sessions will begin as early as 9:30 AM. On Tuesday and Thursday, they will have double sessions with an additional session at 6:00 PM.

Tour approaching

Flick’s men travel to the United States of America next Sunday in the afternoon, with a morning training session on the day of travel as well.

Their campaign in America begins in Orlando where they will face Manchester City on July 30. Four days later, they play the pre-season Clasico in New Jersey, after which they will play their final game of pre-season against AC Milan on August 6.

With several first-team players exempted from the tour or likely to be rested after the Euros, youngsters and fringe players will have a rare chance to impress.