According to an update from SPORT, even though today was marked as a public holiday at the Ciutat Esportiva, not every Barcelona player decided to switch off.
A few names surprised the staff and fans by showing up early in the morning to continue their work in the gym.
Among them were Frenkie de Jong, Wojciech Szczesny, Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde, all determined to make the most of the free time to focus on their fitness and recovery.
While most of the squad enjoyed a day of rest, these four players took the opposite route.
For De Jong and Balde, both currently sidelined with injuries, it was about speeding up their recovery and returning to full fitness as soon as possible.
Szczesny’s appearance, however, raised a few eyebrows. The Polish goalkeeper has been playing the role of Hansi Flick’s backup option behind Joan Garcia, yet his choice to show up on a holiday highlights his intent to keep sharp and be ready whenever called upon.
Andreas Christensen has made a case for himself. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Christensen, fresh from international duty where he even scored in Denmark’s 3-0 win over Greece, showed his hunger to fight for a starting spot.
Flick could be tempted to give him minutes against Valencia, especially after his strong displays outside of club football.
The unexpected sight of Flick himself at the facilities added a curious twist to the day. Despite being a coach who always stresses the importance of rest and respecting off days, the German still made an appearance.
From tomorrow, though, the luxury of rest will vanish as Barcelona resume preparations in full swing.
Flick has scheduled three intensive sessions – Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – leading up to Sunday’s La Liga match against Valencia.
Every detail now carries weight as Barça look to maintain momentum in the middle of the season.
