Sports performance does not depend solely on diet or physical preparation. Rest and sleep quality are determining factors in the performance of any elite athlete, and FC Barcelona is well aware of this. That is why coach Hansi Flick has decided to reinforce his coaching staff with a sleep specialist to optimise the performance of players such as Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and the rest of the squad.

West already worked with Arsenal and Milan before joining Barca

Her incorporation is not improvised. Anna West has previous experience with top clubs such as Arsenal FC and AC Milan, as well as working with Olympic athletes, private companies and even the military.

Their approach is based on transferring scientific knowledge about:

• Circadian rhythm.
• Stress management.
• Sleep optimization.
• Impact of rest on performance.

The specialist argues that the goal is to turn academic theory into strategies that can be applied in athletes' daily routines.

Night-time match schedule disrupts footballers' rest

In modern football, schedules directly influence sleep cycles. When Barcelona play at 21:00 - a common time in LaLiga and European competitions - players often go to bed in the early hours of the morning, disrupting their usual routine.

Data shared by West's company reinforces the decision:

• 50% of elite athletes sleep poorly.
• 28% experience significant daytime sleepiness.
• 70% sleep worse at home on match day.

That's why Flick seeks to control rest with the same rigor as diet and physical preparation, also supervising pre-sleep routines.

Cases like Yamal and Cubarsi highlight the importance of sleep

A few days ago, Raphinha publicly acknowledged that Lamine Yamal is usually tired in the morning because he stays up late using his mobile phone, not because he goes out partying.

Pau Cubarsi surprised everyone by revealing that he sleeps around 10 hours a day, something completely normal in a young player with high physical demands.

With this new addition, Barcelona is taking a holistic approach to performance, where sleep is no longer a secondary detail but a key strategic tool in elite soccer.