Julio Tous is an acclaimed figure in physical training globally. Currently leading the department at Barcelona under Hansi Flick, he boasts a decade of collaboration with Antonio Conte at clubs such as Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter, as well as with the Italian national team. In this first segment of an exclusive interview with Sergio Levinsky, Tous delves into current developments in football for Flashscore.
Tous commented: “Barcelona has a distinctive approach to training, one could even refer to it as the Barça method, which deserves discussion given that Barcelona has a longstanding reputation for innovation.
“Evidently, the flagship, so to speak, is Barça, recognised as an exceptional professional club, nearly unparalleled globally due to its numerous sporting divisions.
“There are two complementary avenues at play here—what has traditionally existed in Barcelona and a coaching staff led by Flick, who brings certain concepts from Germany, which forms an outstanding synergy.
“For me, that’s the most notable aspect of this season. Essentially, from our initial discussions with Flick, we quickly find common ground, and he states: ‘Feel free to ask for anything you require, there are no issues on my end.’
“This collaborative atmosphere amongst those of us training the players has likely been one of the most influential factors, right? The blend of German culture with that of the Barcelona coaching philosophy.”
Paco Seirul-lo wrote in his book on Barca DNA that ‘the student has surpassed the teacher.’ Did that statement catch you off guard, or what were your thoughts?
“Honestly, I lost sleep over that comment. It brought about immense pressure and what is often referred to as imposter syndrome. My relationship with Paco spans 30 years, since I first arrived here in 1995, and there’s a mutual respect between us. Perhaps he intended to convey: ‘I’m leaving this legacy in capable hands; it’s not just about me but also about the colleagues who have flourished in various roles across different clubs while adhering to the Barcelona teachings.’
Isn’t that what the method is about? Adapting the physical aspects to conform with Barcelona’s traditional football?
“Paco Seirul-lo’s methodology serves as the initial guide; it’s specifically tailored for team sports.
“Football is arguably the sport where this methodology can be applied most effectively. It began in handball with a Barça team that was phenomenally successful, winning numerous prestigious European Cups, and then it transitioned into football.
“However, football has been around longer, right? This leads to a significant distinction compared to other methodologies globally, including powerful German frameworks, as this method is narrowly designed for team sports. The others often try to adapt principles from individual sports.
“I firmly believe that’s where the error lies. There will always be a built-in bias when you attempt to take methodologies from athletics or swimming and apply them to football, which is an entirely chaotic environment.
“Football is the most unpredictable sport. The others are cyclic, systematic, and focus solely on performance and outcomes, while football is inherently situational.
“It’s complex because it’s in a constant state of evolution, and this won’t function effectively. Perhaps a top-performing athlete or exceptionally talented footballer might excel despite subpar training methods, but for me, the true brilliance of this approach—there may be only one other like it, from a tactical perspective: Victor Frade’s tactical periodization—is that it is designed with team sports in mind. It is bespoke, not merely adapted.
“This shift is crucial, as Paco, who originally came from athletics, recognised the need to ‘reinvent the theory of training.’
“There’s a book, coordinated by him prior to ADN Barca, titled ‘The Training of Team Sports’, where all this is outlined. It’s been out for about four or five years and articulates this structured, cognitive training proposal, applied to team sports, under the umbrella of what we’re referring to as the Barcelona school.”
You have another saying: ‘It’s not luck, it’s science’…
“One of the pioneering scientists in football, Tom Riley from Liverpool, once shared a thought when we invited him here: ‘Football isn’t science, but scientific principles can assist in enhancing the game.’
“It’s essential to note that science hinges on reproducibility, meaning that a concept developed in one place can be implemented elsewhere, resulting in similar outcomes.
“However, in football, that’s not typically the case. Thus, we might consider it a discipline that can draw from scientific insights.
“Certainly, human behaviour operates in specific ways, with some aspects being variable and others quantifiable, all of which can contribute positively.
“There exists a wealth of knowledge based on scientific research that has proven exceptionally beneficial for football, particularly regarding injury prevention. The surge of big data is also pertinent, although people often misinterpret this data as it doesn’t adequately explain the nuances of football.
“For instance, looking back at the season’s start, bookmakers had six-to-one odds against Barcelona. In hindsight, we might have all been inclined to wager on that.
“Ultimately, Barcelona secured the league title against all odds. The algorithms utilised by bookmakers, while perceived as reliable, clearly didn’t factor in this outcome.”
‘The sheer volume of competitions in football is staggering’
You’re heavily focused on strength for injury prevention.
“Absolutely, yes. My goal is also to enhance performance. Modern football entails an overwhelming number of contests each year, which is frankly staggering.
“This year, we’ve added another tournament, one we’re thankfully not participating in, which protects player health, nonetheless.
“Winning the Club World Cup is a big deal, of course, and would be ideal. Yet from a health perspective, this poses challenges. A FIFA report I recall cited Lautaro Martinez, who was preparing for the Champions League final, facing a grueling schedule of matches with less than five days between them—an unbearable prospect. Simply put, it’s unsustainable.
“Injuries are expected to spike, and players begin to lose performance and fitness as the season progresses.
“It’s logical to see why, as they become overworked. What countermeasures are available? Rotation, naturally.
“However, at a club like Barcelona, the desire to win is paramount. Consequently, rotation is trickier because coaches prefer to utilise their best players. If you had two adept squads, rotation would be more feasible, allowing younger talents to gain experience in cup fixtures or the like. Yet, implementing that can be complicated.
“What other solution exists? To enhance overall conditioning support—which encompasses traditional physical training—as well as medical support, which significantly aids in sustaining player health.
“It’s a dual responsibility: to both prevent injuries and uphold the performance levels established at the season’s commencement, particularly during pre-season, ensuring that this fitness does not deteriorate over time. The goal, therefore, is to provide micro-doses of training consistently throughout the year to retain the initial conditioning gained during pre-season.”
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You weren’t part of the original team under Flick, having been at the club already when he arrived, correct?
“Exactly. Flick came in and willingly embraced the structure Barcelona had developed both on the physical and physiotherapy sides, which include a sizeable team of physiotherapists.
“Each of them has honed highly effective and innovative recovery techniques pioneered by Raúl Martínez, allowing tissues to rejuvenate more effectively post-effort.”
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season? Barcelona’s primary foes in LaLiga are Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, both competing in the Club World Cup. Doesn’t that already give Barcelona a significant advantage?
“Indeed, one cannot deny the impact it may have, as the accumulated match load for these two teams will undoubtedly be much greater this season.
“Additionally, we can’t overlook the matches the national squads have to contend with. Both teams will likely face at least two additional fixtures. This scenario is going to be, perhaps not a ‘drama,’ but definitely a significant challenge insofar as players regenerating from that cumulative competitive strain in such a limited timeframe.
“LaLiga, if I’m correct, begins in mid-August.”
‘Madrid and Atletico must capitalise during their brief holiday’
How much time do they have to recover?
“They must be diligent during the limited weeks of rest to ensure players can mentally reset while simultaneously regenerating physically. This is quite challenging, as usually the advice given is to encourage a week of complete disengagement from football and training.
“They need to enjoy their family time, and after week, we’ll start with light exercises. But primarily, the focus should be on mental relief.
“However, I suspect they won’t have that luxury, as they’ll find themselves up against those who’ve had a more extended pre-season by the time the season begins.
“There’s simply insufficient time available here, and this is something the institutions need to consider, as they’re pushing things to a very tight limit, in my view.
‘With Ter Stegen, there’s always a push to rush recovery’
Regarding individual players, what’s your assessment of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s situation? Typically, a lengthy injury for a goalkeeper requires time, yet there seems to be a lack of patience.
“This situation is all too common. When a primary player is sidelined for an extended period, there’s an inherent urgency for their swift return, and that urgency is felt by the player as well.
“Naturally, the impulse is to hasten recovery. What’s unique this year is that a different goalkeeper had quite firmly established his role, adding pressure on Ter Stegen as he aimed to return.
“The timing was incredibly tight. The coach’s decision—whatever it may be—is ultimately supported by the staff who present the necessary data to either substantiate or refute it.
“Perhaps in the case of a goalkeeper, making a substitution is less common, unlike with outfield players where coaches can say, ‘I wouldn’t play him past the 30-minute mark’ or ‘bring him on late in the game where he can have the most impact.’
“The coach will still make the final decision, but with a goalie, the stakes are significantly higher.
“Moreover, this season, Ter Stegen was in goal during a time when the team, as the coach indicated, was performing well. Thus, there was little rationale for making a change.
“It presents a delicate balancing act, but as time has shown, this scenario was expected to unfold.
‘Lewandowski has an incredible work ethic’
Let’s talk about Robert Lewandowski, who has had a stunning season. How does a player, even at his age, manage to score 40 goals in a season? What’s the secret?
“At the end of the day, it’s always about the player themselves. Lewandowski takes exceptional care of his physique and possesses a commendable work ethic and a commitment to training that is truly remarkable.
“Without making undue comparisons, one might say that forwards of his calibre often fall into the archetype of a free spirit—less dedicated to training culture—but Lewandowski defies that trend.
“During my time in Italy, we often jested that defenders could easily outpace forwards in work ethic, as athletes like Chiellini and Bonucci could lead a training session without batting an eye.
“It’s not typical for strikers to maintain such discipline over the years; however, Lewandowski stands as a rare example in that regard.
“From my standpoint as a specialist in this field, I believe that high-intensity neuromuscular training acts as a critical booster as one ages in a sport like football.
“Building endurance becomes secondary; long-duration work should come afterwards. Ultimately, what enables ongoing competition is the neuromuscular aspect—speed, acceleration, and similar capacities. Yes, it can tie into endurance, but the foundation is undeniably neuromuscular.
“If athletes are not conditioned to generate high power levels and further train to maintain that power, they risk injuries and a decline in performance. Lewandowski’s discipline, combined with his tailored training programme, significantly benefits him.”
‘I’m amazed by Lamine’s stability at such a young age’
Let’s shift focus to Lamine Yamal. How do you accommodate a prodigious talent like him, excelling at such a high-performance level among seasoned players?
“Lamine’s talent is evident to anyone, but when I first laid eyes on him, I was astounded.
“He resembled a furious mix of panther and snake, moving with high velocity.
“My first thought was, ‘If this is just his first training session and he’s already showcasing that, coming from what should be a relaxed state, he must possess formidable quality.’
“What’s striking about him is that he exudes maturity and composure in his approach at such a young age. Believe me, I wasn’t that together at that age; we all know teenage years can be turbulent.
“Barcelona and La Masia have evidently done an outstanding job fostering his education; he is a polite and respectful young man who maintains a commendable professional demeanour in the dressing room.
“Like others from La Masia, he embodies a healthy sporting culture. Given this solid foundation, our role becomes easier; we can apply tailored individual development plans without complications—Lamine’s innate qualities enable anyone working with him to thrive.
‘Fermin faced injury due to a lack of rest’
In Fermin Lopez’s case, you might say it mirrors that of Rodri; his heavy game load last season led to injuries.
“That’s likely true. What’s critical to note is Fermin’s injuries stem from inadequate rest, as he was burdened with commitments to major competitions, including the Olympics and the European Championships.
“The accumulated fatigue was immense, and by the time he recognised it, our season had already commenced.
“He received a couple of weeks’ recuperation but as a consequence of insufficient rest—similar to our earlier discussion—it’s evident that he suffered a rather uncommon injury with negligible intensity, affecting both rectus femoris muscles.
“Fortunately, there were no severe consequences for him, and he had surgery, allowing us to stabilise him moving forward.
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