Barcelona fitness coach talks Lamine, Flick, Szczesny, Ter Stegen: ‘There was no reason to change’ | OneFootball

One of the most impressive facets of Barcelona’s recent season was the incredible management of players’ fitness and workload. While Hansi Flick does indeed deserve credit, Julio Tous was the man behind the scenes who made it possible.

As the team’s chief physical trainer, Tous ensured that the team stayed largely fit for most of the campaign and was one of the protagonists in turning around the situation of Pedri Gonzalez who enjoyed his first-ever injury-free season.

His techniques and methods ensured the squad stayed on their toes despite going all the way in almost every competition and the trainer is rightfully enjoying a few days of before the next campaign starts.

The coaching staff member speaks

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Tous was asked about a number of topics including the team’s general fitness, the situation of some exit-bound players and the evergreen topic of Lamine Yamal.

He began by giving his opinion on the goalkeeping situation at Barcelona towards the fag end of last season when Marc-Andre ter Stegen recovered from his injury, yet found himself behind Wojciech Szczesny on the manager’s pecking order.

“When there is a player who has been out for so long, everyone wants him to come back soon and the first he. So, you try to force everything you can,” he began, explaining Ter Stegen’s quick return from injury.

“What happened is that there was a goalkeeper who had consolidated himself. And in the end, the decision is made by the coach and all the staff show the data that is necessary to support it or not,” he added, admitting that Szczesny’s numbers were impressive.

Szczesny continued as the starting goalie even after Ter Stegen’s return. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

He then supported Flick’s decision to stick with the Polish star through the season and said that the numbers backed it up as Barcelona barely ever lost with him in goal.

“This year it has happened that Tek when he has come out as a starting goalkeeper, the team, as the coach said, had not lost. There was no reason to change it. It was a very delicate decision, but quite logical.”

Tous then went on to speak about Lamine Yamal and praised the youngster for his quality, maturity and attitude.

“This boy also has that part that is exceptional, that surprises anyone. I think Barça and La Masia have done an incredible job in terms of education.”

Speaking on Hansi Flick and the coach’s incredible ability to bind together his team as a single unit despite there being members from both Spain and Germany, he said,

“There are two paths that intersect, what already existed in Barcelona and at Barça and a coaching staff led by Flick, who comes with some ideas from Germany, which create a fantastic synergy. For me, it would be the most remarkable this season.”

Finally, he broke his silence about the FIFA Club World Cup and admitted Barcelona were lucky to miss out on the event, especially considering the absolute lack of rest for those involved in the event.

“We don’t compete, fortunately, for the protection of the players’ health. Everyone would like to win the Club World Cup and it would be ideal, but from the point of view of recovery it is a problem.”

“Participants will have to tread carefully in the few weeks they have of rest so that the player resets mentally and regenerates physically,” he added.

Source: SPORT