Barcelona new fitness coach’s methods transform team, with squad yet to reach 70% of expected level

Barcelona new fitness coach’s methods transform team, with squad yet to reach 70% of expected level Benjamin Kugel was appointed as the new fitness coach at FC Barcelona this summer at the request of manager Hansi Flick. The German tactician wanted a new approach to physical preparation after having several disagreements with the previous head of the department, Julio Tous. In fact, according to Javi Miguel of AS , Flick was even prepared to walk away from Barcelona if the change was not made, leading to Tous being moved to a new department within the club’s structure, while Kugel got the job. The new head of first-team physical preparation has completely reshaped the club’s training methodology, with the changes already producing notable results . Kugel has had no problems adapting to the club, given that he already knew Flick well, having worked with him in the German national team. Secondly, he speaks very good Spanish after spending several years in Costa Rica as a student. A new approach to physical preparation Kugel has transformed Barcelona. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) Kugel’s methodology is based on helping players extract all of their physical resources through clear routines adapted to the individual demands and needs of each footballer. One of the first changes has been in the gym. In most cases, Kugel has moved away from elastic resistance bands and straps as tools for strength work and brought dumbbells back into the programme. Some players, such as Pedri, continue to follow a routine using straps because it has proved beneficial for them, but this is one of the few exceptions. Post-match recovery work has also been introduced. All players, both starters and substitutes, complete a series of strength exercises, with the workload adjusted according to the number of minutes they have played. The intensity is therefore considerably higher for substitutes than for players who have completed most of the match. Kugel’s increased presence around the team Kugel’s presence with the first team is another major difference compared with Tous. The former physical preparation chief attended training only once or twice a week and delegated much of the work to his assistants. Julio Tous was replaced as Barcelona’s head of fitness this summer. (Photo: Barcelona official website) Tous also did not travel with the team, rarely attended away matches and only made occasional appearances at matches at the Camp Nou. Kugel, by contrast, has been present at every match so far, both home and away. He has taken an active role in instructions and planning and has become a much more visible part of the first-team set-up. He has also strengthened his relationship with the other members of the coaching staff, particularly the medical team led by Ricard Pruna. Weekly meetings are held to assess and share data, with the aim of managing workloads and avoiding excessive strain on the players. Kugel also maintains close dialogue with them to assess and interpret their physical and emotional condition, recognising that there are days when the workload can be increased and others when the amount of gym work needs to be reduced. The challenge of maintaining the workload The German physical coach has made a positive impression within the dressing room. According to the report, the players feel that their physical condition has improved, while Barça have been able to impose a high level of physical intensity on their opponents. The major challenge for Flick and Kugel will be maintaining that intensity throughout the season. According to people within the dressing room, the team has not yet reached 70% of its potential capacity, with the report suggesting that the desired physical level is expected to be reached from October onwards.