Hansi Flick isn’t pleased with fitness levels of Barcelona players after their defeat to Sevilla and wants answers from his staff.
Flick hits the panic button on Barcelona players
Hansi Flick has reportedly sounded the alarm over his Barcelona squad’s physical shape. After the loss to Sevilla, the German manager immediately called for a sit-down with the club’s fitness department. The meeting, as reported by SPORT, focused on one worrying question, why does this team look so drained this early in the season?
As per the information disclosed to Flick, the athletes have not yet reached the physical standards that were anticipated for this particular moment. The statistics do not support the arguments made. Among the players’ performance, the three areas that characterized were reduced intensity, lower number of sprints and less recovery. Head coach is quite certain that the team is dull right now. And that can be seen on the field as well.
The boss thinks that the reason could be more than just fatigue. The training load has been reduced in recent weeks because players showed signs of fatigue far sooner than expected. While that was meant to prevent injuries, it’s also dulled the group’s endurance. Flick and his staff are now walking a tightrope between keeping players healthy and getting them match-fit again.
🚨 After the match against Sevilla, Hansi Flick requested a meeting with the fitness staff to find solutions for the decline in the intensity.
Flick is concerned about the fitness of his players, as the team's data shows that they are not at the required level at this stage of… pic.twitter.com/ruwiLA8dHJ
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) October 9, 2025
The toll of a tough schedule
Barca’s schedule is looking pretty busy. They have played seven matches in just twenty-one days. Additionally plenty of their stars are ruled out due to injury. That said, Flick is left with limited options on the bench. That lack of rotation has left his regular starters physically spent. The Sevilla game was just the latest example of a team that’s running out of gas.
Pedri’s case sums it up best. The playmaker has not lost his genius in reading the game, but he is no longer as strong physically as he used to be. He is not as fast in pressing the opponent, not as fast in recovering and he even struggles to maintain his speed when the game is nearing its end. Flick is said to have informed his team that the players’ fitness levels are in late November rather than early October. This comparison alone gives a clue of how much they still have to go to be on the same level.
How can Flick fix the fitness issues of Barcelona players ?
Flick’s response has been decisive. He wants to bring back the ‘German-style’ training rhythm that emphasizes energy, recovery, and mental focus. He’s asked his staff to monitor every player’s workload daily and introduce shorter, high-intensity drills. The idea is to get players working at match tempo during training without burning them out.
He also plans to rotate more in upcoming fixtures, giving youngsters a chance to step in and share the load. The staff are pushing for a balance, maintain fitness without falling into the trap of constant fatigue. Flick believes the players must rediscover that spark, the hunger that makes pressing effective and transitions quicker. Without it, the football he wants to play simply won’t click.
Time isn’t on his side, though. With a tight calendar and growing expectations, Barca need to rediscover their physical edge fast. Flick’s frustration is justified, this is a club built on intensity and precision, and right now, they’re lacking both. If his plan works, the bounce-back could be sharp.
Author’s Opinion:
Hansi Flick is being honest here. He’s not making excuses regarding luck or referees, he’s tackling a genuine problem straight on. Barca’s technical abilities are top-rated but if they go unfit, the results won’t come.
