Midfielder Pedri has lauded “sergeant” Hansi Flick after Barcelona’s impressive start to the season, saying they are working harder than ever after winning their first four games in LaLiga.

Before the September international break, Flick, a former coach of Bayern Munich and Germany, took over for Xavi Hernández at the beginning of the summer. Since then, he has led Barça to victories over Valencia, Athletic Club, Rayo Vallecano, and Real Valladolid.

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Pedri, 21, says strength and fitness gained during a tough preseason is one of the big reasons Barça have flown out of the blocks.

“We work much harder than before,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “The new fitness coaches that have come in are really good for us. We work hard and you notice it in the games.

“The team doesn’t dip after the 70th or 80th minute, it maintains the same fitness levels. We [the Spain internationals] arrived late [after the European Championship], but speaking with those at preseason from the start, they were really put through it. A lot of strength work, a lot of physical exercises.

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“When we arrived, there was another final push until the games started. Now with LaLiga underway it’s a little different.”

Apart from hiring Flick, Barça reorganized their fitness division last summer. Among those hired was Julio Tous, an ex-teammate of Antonio Conte, who joined after president Joan Laporta insisted on changes.

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