After Barcelona’s painful 4-1 defeat to Sevilla in the eighth round of La Liga, head coach Hans-Dieter Flick has reportedly decided to confront one of the club’s major internal issues — the team’s fitness. According to Sport.es via Catalunya Radio, the German manager plans to hold a special meeting with Barcelona’s fitness and conditioning staff to discuss why the players appear to lack the required energy and physical sharpness.
Flick, known for his high-tempo pressing and demanding training methods, has been disappointed with how sluggish his squad looked throughout the match at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. Barcelona struggled to maintain rhythm, lost most second balls, and appeared drained well before the final whistle. These physical lapses directly contributed to defensive errors and poor transitions, allowing Sevilla to dominate large portions of the game. For Flick, who built his reputation at Bayern Munich on intensity and speed, this is a serious concern. His philosophy depends on collective effort and sustained energy, and when fitness levels drop, his entire system suffers. Sources within the club suggest that he sees the issue as structural — not just tactical or psychological — and wants an immediate solution to ensure Barcelona can compete consistently across all fronts this season.
Among the players whose physical form has raised questions is midfielder Pedri. Once regarded as the engine of Barcelona’s midfield, the 21-year-old Spanish international has struggled to reach the explosive levels that defined his earlier performances. According to reports, Flick has noticed that Pedri’s intensity and stamina have declined compared to last season, especially in matches requiring high pressing and defensive recovery.
The coach is reportedly concerned that Pedri, despite his immense talent and vision, is not sustaining the physical demands of his position. In Flick’s system, central midfielders play a dual role — orchestrating attacks and maintaining pressure on the opponent without the ball. When one midfielder slows down, the entire pressing structure weakens, leaving gaps for rivals to exploit.
Flick’s decision to hold private talks with the fitness staff is partly motivated by his desire to protect Pedri from overuse injuries. The young midfielder has suffered multiple muscular setbacks in recent seasons, which may have affected both his confidence and physical rhythm. Flick wants to understand whether his current workload and recovery routines are appropriate or if adjustments are needed to restore his full fitness. According to club insiders, the German coach remains a strong supporter of Pedri and believes that, with proper conditioning and a carefully managed training plan, the midfielder can regain his best form.
He views Pedri as one of the cornerstones of Barcelona’s long-term project, but he expects higher endurance levels from him and others as the season progresses.Hans-Dieter Flick’s arrival at Barcelona was seen as a turning point — an opportunity to bring back the intensity and physical resilience that once made the team unstoppable. However, the early weeks of the season have revealed deep-rooted issues in the players’ conditioning. The team’s inability to sustain high tempo, particularly in the second halves of matches, has cost them crucial points and raised doubts about their preparation methods.To address the situation, Flick is reportedly working on a new physical training plan. He intends to increase the emphasis on endurance, speed recovery, and strength work during weekly sessions, while also introducing data-driven monitoring to evaluate fatigue levels. His approach is holistic — blending traditional football training with modern sports science to optimize performance while minimizing injury risks.
The heavy loss to Sevilla has acted as a wake-up call for Barcelona. Flick’s decision to confront the fitness issue head-on marks a crucial turning point. The coach’s message is clear: technical talent alone will not bring success. To compete with elite teams like Real Madrid, Atlético, and the top European sides, Barcelona must rediscover its physical edge.
For now, the atmosphere at the club remains professional. Flick has avoided public criticism, preferring to handle matters internally, but his expectations are firm. The players are aware that their performances must improve not only tactically but also physically. The upcoming fixtures in La Liga and the Champions League will test whether the team can respond to this challenge. As the season continues, all eyes will be on Flick’s methods and their impact. His leadership style emphasizes accountability, structure, and long-term planning — qualities that could redefine Barcelona’s modern identity. If his strategy pays off, the Blaugrana could return to their place among Europe’s most feared teams, combining artistry with athletic power.
