FC Barcelona has taken an unusual step ahead of their Champions League group-stage match against Club Brugge, opting to skip the traditional pre-match training session at the Jan Breydel Stadium. The decision, made by manager Hansi Flick, marks a rare deviation from the club’s standard European preparation routine.

A Change in Routine

Instead of training on Belgian soil, the German coach has decided that his players will hold their final session on Tuesday morning at the Camp Tito Vilanova pitch inside the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The session, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (local time), will proceed as usual before the team travels to Brussels later in the day.

According to club sources, the adjustment was made after analyzing travel logistics and rest schedules. The primary goal is to optimize recovery time and keep the players’ physical rhythm consistent ahead of a busy stretch of fixtures.

Flick and Lewandowski to Address the Media

While the team won’t set foot on the Jan Breydel pitch before kickoff, both Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski will visit the stadium in the evening to attend UEFA’s official pre-match press conference, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (local time).

Meanwhile, Club Brugge will follow their usual plan — training at 11:00 a.m. in their own facilities and sending manager Nicky Hayden and one player to speak with the press later in the afternoon.

A Crucial Match for Barcelona

Barcelona enters the encounter with everything still to play for in Group C. Flick’s men need a positive result to strengthen their position in the race for the Round of 16, as any slip-up could leave qualification hanging in the balance.

The Catalans will travel to Belgium immediately after their morning session and remain in full concentration mode ahead of Wednesday’s 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT) kickoff.

For Flick, this move underlines his meticulous attention to detail — a calculated decision to maintain control over both the physical and psychological preparation of his squad before another demanding European test.