Barcelona boss Hansi Flick attends annual La Liga coaches meeting; Mourinho absent

Barcelona’s international break has left Hansi Flick with an unusually small group of first-team players to work with, while the club’s travelling contingent prepares for a demanding period with their respective national teams.

Flick has only six senior players available for training this week, with the rest of his squad away on international duty. 

The German coach and his staff are scheduled to hold four training sessions before giving the players who remain at the club nine days off.

That makes this a very different international break for Barcelona, with limited numbers leaving Flick with little opportunity to work on the pitch.

Flick faces unusual training week at Barcelona

The shortage is largely down to the number of Barcelona players called up by their countries. 

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick attends annual

As many as 17 members of the squad are expected to be involved internationally during the break, with Spain providing the largest contingent.

Rather than trying to maintain a normal training programme with such a depleted group, Flick will allow the available players to take a longer rest period once this week’s sessions are completed.

The schedule also gave Flick an opportunity to attend the annual coaches’ meeting at the Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas on Tuesday, according to SPORT.

The gathering brings together coaches from La Liga and Segunda Division, giving managers the chance to meet during the international window.

Mourinho’s absence adds a strong talking point

There was no reunion with Jose Mourinho at the meeting, despite the Real Madrid manager living in the same city, with the outlet reporting that the Portuguese declined the invitation.

Hansi Flick attended the annual coaches’ meeting. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

That leaves the two managers preparing for the season in very different circumstances during the break, although Flick’s concern is managing the unusual lack of players at his disposal.

The situation is particularly striking when the travel demands placed on Barcelona’s internationals are considered.

Raphinha faces the heaviest schedule of the club’s travelling players, with the Brazilian expected to cover close to 35,000 kilometres during the international break while joining his country for three friendlies in Australia and India.

That schedule means Raphinha will spend a significant amount of the break travelling before eventually returning to Barcelona, while Flick waits for his squad to come back together.