The match against Atletico Madrid will be the final game of 2024 for FC Barcelona.
The Catalans will host Diego Simeone’s men at the Montjuic Stadium tomorrow night, hoping to bring down the curtains on 2024 on a winning note.
However, there appears to be a notable change in their routine once tomorrow’s top-of-the-table contest against the Colchoneros is done.
Hansi Flick changes things
As reported by MARCA, unlike in previous years, the Barcelona squad will not head off on vacation immediately after the match in Montjuic.
Indeed, following the encounter with Atletico Madrid, there will be no mass exodus of players rushing to airports for their holiday destinations.
Instead, the players have been asked to report to the training ground on Sunday for a light recovery session by manager Hansi Flick.
Barcelona face Atletico Madrid tomorrow. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Flick has decided to delay the start of their break by one day, as he wants to assess the players the day after the match.
They will undergo various analyses and fitness tests, which are conducted regularly to monitor their physical condition.
With a demanding schedule ahead, the squad will only have a few days to disconnect. They are due to return to training at the end of next week.
On December 29, there will be an open training session, and on January 4, they will face Barbastro in the Copa del Rey round of 32. This is a trophy the club and the team are eager to win, meaning they cannot afford to neglect their fitness.
Just four days later, Barcelona will play their first match in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia against Athletic Club. Should they win the semi-final, they will face the winner of Real Madrid vs. Mallorca in the final on January 12.
In January, Barça will also face Getafe and Valencia in La Liga, as well as Benfica and Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League. The demanding calendar leaves no room for complacency, and Flick is determined to keep his players in top physical condition.