Hansi Flick rewards Barcelona players after demanding Guadalajara visit | OneFootball

According to a report from SPORT, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick decided to make a clear and calculated gesture towards his squad after a physically and mentally demanding Copa del Rey outing against CS Guadalajara.

Flick has already built a reputation at Barcelona as a coach who demands intensity, discipline and full commitment. 

Training sessions are rarely relaxed and competition within the squad is constant. 

However, the same report highlights that Flick also understands when to ease the pressure, especially at critical points of the season. 

Hence, following the late-night return from Guadalajara, he chose to reward the players with two full days off.

Much-needed rest for Barcelona players

As a result, the Barcelona squad will not return to collective training until Friday. 

Hansi Flick gave Barcelona players a day off. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The decision comes at a crucial moment in the calendar, as Barcelona close out their 2025 schedule with a demanding La Liga trip to Villarreal, a fixture that carries major weight in the title race.

With that in mind, Flick has ensured that his players still have enough time to prepare, as the squad will have two full training sessions before facing Marcelino’s side. 

Villarreal currently sit third in the table, eight points behind Barcelona, but with two games in hand, making the clash far more dangerous than the table alone suggests.

While Wednesday was officially a rest day, the report also notes that several players still chose to train voluntarily. 

Names such as Roony Bardghji, Marcus Rashford, Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczesny and Pedri all made their way to the training ground on their own initiative. 

Thursday is expected to follow a similar pattern. It is primarily a recovery-focused day for injured players, while the rest of the squad can train voluntarily.