Hansi Flick’s first few days of training Barcelona have been strange with most of the first-teamers away on international duty with the Euros and Copa America. However, with both tournaments having concluded a week ago, it is only a matter of time before the stars start returning.
The German coach will still be without the likes of Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Fermin Lopez who are on national duty in the Olympics. That said, it’s important for Flick that the other first-teamers start returning.
As per Mundo Deportivo, two such stars are set to return to training today with both Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen back from vacation. The duo were knocked out with their respective nations in the early stages of the Euros and are now back for club duty.
The Pole and the Dane are expected to undergo their medical examinations at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Monday following which they will be expected to join a part of the team’s training. The others have been doing pre-season with Flick since the 10th of July and the duo need to get up to speed with the rest of their teammates.
Flick is no stranger to Lewandowski, having coached the Polish veteran during his time at Bayern Munich. The 35-year-old marksman had one of his best seasons under the German coach and will be hoping to recapture some of that form for Barcelona.
Andreas Christensen on the other hand has proved to be a versatile addition to the Barcelona squad. Arguably the best ball-playing center-back at the club before Pau Cubarsi’s emergence, the Dane played much of his football as a defensive midfielder for Xavi last season.
The US tour will give fans an idea of the role Flick envisions for the 28-year-old star. The German coach likes to play with a double pivot in midfield, giving the Dane more chances of featuring as a midfielder alongside a more technical profile like Frenkie de Jong.
With the likes of Jules Kounde, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, and the other first-teamers who enjoyed a long run in the Euros yet to return, the fringe players like Ansu Fati will be hoping to impress the German boss in the upcoming pre-season.
Flick, on his part, will know that the sooner he recovers his first-teamers, the better the chances are of having a successful pre-season. That said, the players deserve their breaks and all Barcelona can do is be patient and hope that the coach finds a solution with the options in hand.
