Barcelona Intensifies Training Ahead of La Liga Season
The holidays are over at Ciutat Esportiva. With the 2026/27 season just days away, FC Barcelona have shifted out of pre-season cruise control and into something far closer to competitive speed.
Fresh from a 5-2 win over FC Basel, Hansi Flick put his players through their second session of the week on Tuesday, with one eye on the Joan Gamper Trophy and the other firmly locked on Sunday’s La Liga opener against Elche.
Xavi Espart back with the group
There was one notable change from Monday’s workout: Xavi Espart was back.
The La Masia midfielder, who caught the eye against Basel with his composure and personality in the middle of the pitch, rejoined the group after being granted a short rest. As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the youngster had earned Monday morning off following a heavy pre-season that came on the back of his involvement in the U19 Euros with Spain.
His return underlined a clear message from Flick: the door to the first team is open, but the standards are non-negotiable. Espart slotted back into the session and completed the full training with the senior squad, another small step in a summer that is quickly changing his status from academy prospect to genuine option.
Pedri and Gavi stay in the mix
If Espart’s presence hints at the future, two familiar faces define the present.
Pedri and Gavi once again trained with the group, maintaining their steady progression under carefully managed plans. Both midfielders had already taken another step on Monday as the staff continued to control their workloads.
Pedri, back from his holidays and gradually increasing intensity, is following a normal trajectory as he edges toward full sharpness. Gavi mirrors that process, ticking off sessions and minutes, even if neither featured in the friendly against Basel. For Flick, having both fully integrated in training during this decisive week is almost as important as any pre-season result.
The session allowed the German coach to juggle two priorities at once: tuning up for Wednesday’s Gamper showcase while drilling the details for the trip to Elche, where the real judgement begins.
Young blood stays close to the first team
The kids are not drifting back to the academy just yet.
Alvaro Cortes, Brian Farinas, Ebrima Tunkara, Orian Goren, Jordi Pesquer, Hamza Abdelkarim and Eder Aller all remained embedded in first-team dynamics, extending a summer in which they have lived at senior-team pace. Every rondo, every tactical drill, every sprint in these days before the season starts can shift a pecking order or open the door to a squad place when the fixtures pile up.
Flick’s message is clear: the pathway from La Masia to the first team is active, but it must be earned under the same competitive demands as everyone else.
Gamper night, then the real thing
The rhythm now tightens. On Wednesday morning, the squad will be back at Ciutat Esportiva at 9:30 a.m. for another session, the final tune-up before the Joan Gamper Trophy.
That evening, at 8 p.m., Spotify Camp Nou will light up as Barcelona host Egyptian side Al Ahly in the traditional curtain-raiser. It is a showcase, a celebration, but also a dress rehearsal. For some, it will be a chance to lock down a starting place for Elche. For others, it might be the last opportunity to convince Flick before competitive football returns.
Pre-season is almost over. The margin for experiments is shrinking. Now comes the question that will define Barcelona’s early months: how quickly can this mix of returning stars, hungry youngsters and a new coach turn training-ground intensity into points on the board?
