Exclusive: Barça players surprised they're in such great shape for Liga return
"We are in great shape," the player say following doubts that they'd need more time
The mood in the Barcelona camp among the players is completely different to how it was 32 days ago when they returned to training for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic in Spain.
There was a mix of pessimism and skepticism at those sessions in early May but the optimism has grown as they have got fitter and fitter following the start of group training.
They are now desperate to get back on the pitch and to confirm that the good sensations they are feeling can carry them towards a third successive league title.
"We are in great shape," one player tells SPORT. The team was concerned about rushing back to action, but last weekend's inter-squad game at Camp Nou has brought confidence. The players felt comfortable ahead of the Mallorca game this weekend.
Camp Nou factor
Barça are used to another type of preseason. After a week of training, they usually start playing friendlies, and usually as part of long-haul tours.
Now they have been able to work extensively on the training ground, passing from individual training, to groups of 10, to 14, to full training.
Quique Setien planned a session at Camp Nou on Saturday which the dressing room saw as a point of inflexion. "We didn't know how we were going to feel and it was all perfect," the players said. Setien achieved a double objective: the players enjoyed playing in the stadium again and, at the same time, are now taking on this last week with morale in the clouds.
Example Suarez
In addition, the Barça coach has everyone back save Ousmane Dembele. Luis Suarez has been given the green light to return to action and is eager to make up for the lost time. Maybe he won't start against Mallorca, but he will soon be accumulating minutes and Setien and his team are excited to make use of him, especially with big games against Sevilla and Athletic coming up.
"We have to come out really strong in Mallorca, they will be waiting for this game because they're playing for their lives at the bottom of the table," the players say.
Barça, therefore, will not speculate. Nor will they be thinking about the sprint ahead of them with 11 games to be played before July 19. They spent 56 days in lockdown, plagued with doubts and fears, has led to a renewed enjoyment of football. The team are motivated for the chance to get back out on the pitch.
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