Barça cut players’ injuries by half, thanks to Dr. Pruna

Putting their European misfortunes to one side, there were a number of positives for Barça to find comfort in last season. The team lifted LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup, but off the pitch there was good news too - Xavi’s team suffered half the amount of muscle injuries compared to the 2021/22 season.

One of the keys to this improvement has been Dr. Ricard Pruna’s return. He was brought back to the club and enrolled as club doctor by Xavi. Dr Pruna was employed by the club from 1996 until his departure in 2020. On his return, he brought his trusted team of physiotherapists and assistants and the results are there to see. Last season, Xavi’s players spent a total of 704 days in the sickbay - including time for muscular injuries. Compare that to 2021/22, when the total of days missed through injury was more than double - 1463. Barcelona’s medical team has managed to practically halve the muscular injuries suffered by the first team squad which is not just a remarkable feat in itself but demonstrates just how important physical preparation is to reaping success on the field.

Fighting fit

Looking at the figures in more detail, the players who have benefitted the most have been the forwards, with a 68% reduction in injuries overall. During the 2021/22 season, first under Koeman then from Week 14 under Xavi, Barcelona’s forwards spent a total of 514 days on the sidelines. Last season, the figure was just 167 days. That huge difference in terms of injuries affecting the team’s frontline was reflected in the results Barça gained in both campaigns. In 2022/23, the forwards were available more than 90% of the time - with the exception of Dembélé who was out for three months.

The defence was the next area to feel the benefits. The rearguard has gone from being unavailable for a total of 677 days in 2021/22 to 331 days in 2022/23. Almost half. On top of that, it’s worth noting that all the of the players, who played during both seasons, reduced their physical problems - apart from one player, Araújo. In total, the Uruguayan centre-back spent 130 days in the infirmary last season, recovering from three separate issues (calf, adductor and abductor). The season before that, he was out for 60 days. While the overall results are positive, the blaugrana medical team may have to take additional care with Araújo, who is the fundamental pillar of the defence. Elsewhere, the new signings, Koundé and Christensen rack up to 100 days off between them.

In the midfield the data is more or less unchanged, with around 200 days missed in both seasons. Pedri’s case stands out - he was out for 197 days (21/22) and 110 days in (22/23) respectively. The islander has a lot of room for improvement although in 2021, taking part in the Euros and Olympic Games with hardly any rest clearly took its toll. With less commitment this summer, he will hopefully avoid too much time on the sidelines when the new campaign kicks off next month.

Consistency

Pivotal to Barça’s successes last season was the fact that Xavi enjoyed consistency when selecting his team - and especially at the back where his first-choice centre-backs: Araújo, Koundé and Christensen were nearly always available. Between them, they totaled 237 days off, which meant that Xavi has always had at least one of the three. It was telling how the team struggled at the start of the Champions League group stage when both Koundé and Araújo were out injured. The blaugrana medical staff will have to find the key to reduce the physical problems of Xavi’s key defensive figures and enable them to be able to compete throughout the whole season.

Gavi and Busquets, reliability in midfield

Gavi and Busquets not only formed Barça’s midfield backbone last season, their reliability from start to finish was a vital factor. Between them they have taken just 29 days off through injury over the last two seasons. Busi paid a rare visit to the treatment room in February for a slight ankle sprain. Gavi meanwhile, is hardly ever injured. He missed two games at the end of December 2021 due to coronavirus. His last injury dates back to August 2021, when he broke his jaw, although that didn’t stop him from playing.

The data is impressive. Not only can Xavi count on two players who can play around 50 games per season, and who play in very physically demanding positions, they are rarely injured. That gives insurance. Gavi’s case is more understandable, at 18 years old he is at the prime age to cope with the physical demands of playing every three days and recovers quickly. Busquets is particularly unique for a player of his age, 34 - it’s surprising how seldom he is laid low with physical problems. Now, with his departure, Barça loses someone who is immune to injuries.