Barcelona Intensifies Training as Xavi Espart Rejoins First Team

FC Barcelona have cranked up the tempo at the Ciutat Esportiva, with the final countdown to the 2026/27 season now fully underway and no room left for soft touches.

Fresh from a 5-2 win over FC Basel, Hansi Flick put his players through their second session of the week, with work already split in two clear directions: the Joan Gamper Trophy against Al Ahly and, above all, Sunday’s La Liga opener away to Elche.

Xavi Espart back with the group

The main headline from Tuesday’s workout was the return of Xavi Espart.

The La Masia midfielder, who caught the eye against Basel, was back in full training after being granted a day off on Monday, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Flick had rewarded him with a breather following a demanding summer that included the U19 Euros with Spain and an intense pre-season load.

Rest over. Espart was again part of the first-team group, completing the full session and reinforcing his presence in Flick’s plans at a time when places in midfield are fiercely contested.

Pedri and Gavi stay in the rhythm

Alongside him, Pedri and Gavi continued to move through their carefully managed return-to-competition plans.

Both midfielders remained fully integrated into collective drills, having taken another step forward on Monday in terms of workload. Pedri, back from his holidays and building rhythm session by session, is progressing without setbacks. Gavi is following a similar pattern, staying within the parameters set by the medical and technical staff.

Neither featured in the friendly against Basel, a clear sign that Barcelona are prioritising controlled preparation over early risk. Their presence in group training, though, keeps optimism high ahead of the first official fixtures.

Flick juggles Gamper and La Liga opener

On the pitch, Flick used the session to blend tactical work for Wednesday’s Joan Gamper Trophy with specific preparation for Elche. The German coach now enters the final stretch of training before the team switches from pre-season mode to full competitive edge.

The dynamic remained the same as much of the summer: a strong core of senior players supported by a sizeable contingent of academy talent.

Alvaro Cortes, Brian Farinas, Ebrima Tunkara, Orian Goren, Jordi Pesquer, Hamza Abdelkarim and Eder Aller all stayed embedded in first-team routines, gaining more minutes in drills and more exposure to Flick’s demands. For them, this week is not just a showcase; it is an audition for roles once the season kicks off.

Gamper night on the horizon

All eyes now turn to Wednesday at Spotify Camp Nou, where Barcelona will host Egyptian side Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy at 8 p.m. The traditional curtain-raiser will be preceded by a morning session at the Ciutat Esportiva at 9:30 a.m., the last on-field rehearsal before the team steps into the stadium spotlight.

From there, the tone changes. The next whistle after Gamper will not be a friendly one.