Flick changes Barcelona's program after the Galatasaray match to avoid injuries
Hansi Flick, coach of FC Barcelona (Photo/Archive)
Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has decided to adjust the team’s return program from Turkey following the Galatasaray match, in a move aimed at maintaining the players’ readiness and avoiding new injuries, with the upcoming match against Real Betis in the Spanish League approaching.
Barcelona will face Galatasaray on Tuesday in the second round of the Champions League group stage for the 2026-2027 season, as the Catalan team looks to continue its positive results since the start of the season, before returning to domestic league competitions.
Flick prefers to stay in Türkiye after the match
The Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Flick does not want his players to return directly to Barcelona after the end of the European match, as his plan includes staying in Istanbul and conducting training there, with the team’s delegation returning to Spain on Wednesday.
This decision comes as part of the coaching staff’s approach to reducing pressure on the players during the busy match period, and giving them a chance to prepare better for the upcoming match, as Barcelona hosts Real Betis on Saturday, in the ninth round of the Spanish League.
Flick is focusing on managing the physical exertion of the team members, given the importance of the next stage, which requires keeping as many players as possible in good technical and physical condition, whether in European or local competitions.
Rafinha is out of the picture against Galatasaray
In a related context, Brazilian Rafinha will miss the match against Galatasaray, after the coaching staff preferred not to risk him, due to a minor injury he suffered during the past period.
The 29-year-old player had left the Brazilian national team camp during the international break, before returning to Barcelona to continue dealing with the injury, which prompted Flick to exclude him from consideration for the European match.
According to the report, the German coach wants to handle Rafinha’s situation cautiously and avoid rushing his return to the field, especially after the physical problems the player faced last season, when his early return, according to the newspaper, caused him to suffer two additional injuries.
Barcelona prepares for a busy period of matches
Flick hopes that Barcelona will pass the Galatasaray test with a positive result, without losing any new players due to injuries, before turning their attention to preparing for the match against Real Betis in the Spanish League.
According to Marca, the decision to stay in Turkey reflects the coaching staff’s desire to balance competing for championships with maintaining the players’ physical readiness, at a time when the Catalan team is seeking to continue its strong start this season.