Following consecutive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, Barcelona squad members and coaching staff held a private 90-minute barbecue at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to reinforce team unity. Carlos Monfort reported on the gathering, which also featured a team photo session during the day.

Captains Organize Team Gathering at Training Ground

The midday gathering took place on Wednesday, directly following a morning training session at the club’s facility. Raphinha and fellow club captains spearheaded the initiative alongside Rodri, choosing to remain on-site rather than travel to an external venue. Head coach Hansi Flick and his staff participated in the meal alongside the playing roster. Previous Barcelona squads, especially in the Messi era, held similar encounters during tense periods of a season, though those historical meetings typically took place at private residential estates in Sant Cugat del Vallès or off-site restaurants.

Back-to-Back Defeats Prompt Squad Reaction

The squad arranged the barbecue to help the team move past a difficult stretch marked by two losses. The team returned to training Wednesday following two days of rest after dropping consecutive fixtures: a UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes and a La Liga defeat against Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou. These negative results created a delicate moment for the club, heightening the urgency among players to restore collective confidence and group cohesion. Reports had also surfaced regarding differences over how the return should have been carried out following a fixture against Sevilla prior to the Paris trip. The initiative also aims to help the young squad maintain regular high performance and shine in major fixtures with the goal of winning all titles, supported by regular players from the youth academy who were present at the session.

Fitness Updates Complicate Defensive Preparations

As the squad prepared for upcoming fixtures, the training session brought mixed fitness news for the defensive line. Jules Koundé worked apart from the main group during Wednesday’s workout. While Koundé is not formally ruled out for the weekend fixture against Alavés, his recovery from an injury leaves his immediate availability in doubt, making it difficult for him to return or accumulate minutes to regain match rhythm. Conversely, Pau Cubarsí returned to training after being ill during the match against Real Madrid.

Upcoming Match Schedule Before November International Break

Barcelona faces a demanding sequence of three matches before the next league pause, which includes a new international break ahead of the final stretch of the year. The team hosts Alavés at the Spotify Camp Nou on October 31 at 21:00 local time (CET). That home fixture is followed by another match against Aston Villa at the Spotify Camp Nou on November 3 at 21:00 CET. The stretch concludes with an away trip to face Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano on November 8 at 21:00 CET.