Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has despatched a warning to followers that the membership could possibly be in for a gradual begin to the brand new season after a busy summer season and a “unusual preseason”.
The coach spoke after Saturday’s triangular preseason event in opposition to Udinese and Nottingham Forest and spoke concerning the difficulties of working with out so a lot of his first workforce stars who’re nonetheless on trip after the World Cup.
The overwhelming majority of Barça’s World Cup individuals return on Wednesday and can solely have 10 days of coaching and two preseason friendlies in opposition to FC Basel and Al-Ahly to arrange for the La Liga opener in opposition to Elche on August 23.
Barça have additionally been busy within the switch market and are nonetheless anticipated to make extra huge strikes with gamers set to each be a part of and exit the membership earlier than the window closes, so the squad will look fairly totally different to final season with little or no time on the coaching pitch to get to know one another.
For all of these causes, Flick shouldn’t be anticipating to see the most effective model of his workforce till after the primary worldwide break of the season.
“Many gamers are arriving this week; it’s an atypical and unusual preseason. Now we have to respect the gamers’ holidays, and this preseason isn’t regular. We’ll must handle it till the worldwide break; till then, we gained’t be at 100%.”
It’s vital to keep in mind that as a result of a change within the soccer calendar there’ll solely be two worldwide breaks as a substitute of three on the finish of this 12 months, however the first worldwide break will final three weeks as a substitute of two between September 21 and October 8.
So in the event you have been to imagine Flick’s phrases, we shouldn’t count on to see Barça at 100% till mid-October. Prepare for a gradual begin.
