Barcelona dressing room questions Flick’s strict hotel routine amid growing player fatigue – report

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Kickjolly · AI-written · automatically reviewed · Barca Universal ↗

Barcelona's players are questioning Hansi Flick's strict hotel routine between matches, citing a lack of time with their families and preferring to rest at home, according to ARA reporter Xavi Hernandez Navarro. The team's demanding schedule has kept players away from their loved ones, leading to displeasure with Flick's insistence on hotel stays. This disagreement became apparent after a 5-2 victory over Real Betis. The squad was forced to stay in a Seville hotel due to severe weather.

Flick attributed consecutive defeats against PSG and Real Madrid to a lack of freshness, and believes the disrupted schedule affected their preparation. He has employed sleep consultant Anna West to monitor the players' sleep habits and environment. However, some players believe that being at home with their families is essential for mental recovery, not just a proper sleep schedule. This is not a new issue, as former captains had previously pushed to reduce hotel stays.

Flick maintains a strict approach, paying attention to every detail, including the players' sleep schedules. The challenge for him is to balance his standards with the players' need for mental recovery at home. With upcoming games against Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid, it remains to be seen whether Flick will adjust his recovery strategy. The issue has been ongoing, with previous managers eventually giving in to some player requests.