Barça break routine to brave Prague's big freeze
Hansi Flick's side ditch their usual away-day schedule to acclimatise to sub-zero temperatures ahead of crucial Champions League clash at Eden Arena
Barcelona have torn up their usual Champions League away-day playbook as they prepare to face temperatures that would make a polar bear reach for its thermals.
Cold snap forces rethink
The Catalan giants have made a significant change to their normal European away routine ahead of their visit to Prague for matchday seven of the Champions League campaign.
Throughout the 2025/26 season, Barça’s technical staff had established a pattern of conducting pre-match training at their Joan Gamper Sports City complex before travelling to away European fixtures. This approach allowed players more time at home, with the team typically departing at midday and only conducting press conferences at the opposition’s stadium upon arrival.
However, with temperatures in the Czech capital plummeting to Arctic levels, the blaugrana have sensibly opted for a different approach.
Brass monkeys in Prague
The decision to alter their preparations came during the period between fixtures against Santander and Real Sociedad. Flick, in consultation with his players, determined that getting acclimatised to the bitter cold was worth sacrificing their usual comforts.
As a result, the squad flew out early Tuesday morning to train at Prague’s Eden Arena following the press conference held by manager Hansi Flick and Alejandro Balde at 17:30 local time.
The thermometer showed a teeth-chattering -3°C during their training session, with forecasts suggesting it could drop to -5°C by kick-off time. Talk about a proper winter warmer!
Flick’s frosty humour
The German manager displayed his characteristic dry wit when questioned about the challenging conditions, responding: “No es un problema, así los jugadores corren más” (It’s not a problem, this way the players will run more).
Barça’s willingness to break from routine shows they’re taking nothing for granted in their European campaign, even if it means enduring conditions more suitable for penguins than footballers.
The players might need to dig out their thermals from the bottom drawer, but at least they’ll be properly prepared when the referee’s whistle cuts through the frosty Prague air tomorrow night.