Real Madrid News
Real Madrid fitness coach Antonio Pintus on training methods: “They don’t like it very much”
The most critically acclaimed Pintus Method, the hypoxia masks, returned to Valdebebas this Tuesday and Antonio Pintus, who happens to be the protagonist of this charismatic method, spoke at length about the technique where he revealed that most of the players do not like to train with this mask.
Pintus, who is the head of physical preparation at Real Madrid, returned to the club in 2021 and is ready to take all the necessary measures to make sure the team members stay in top shape.
What is a Pintus mask?
As explained by the man himself, these hypoxia masks are used in high-intensity tests. The novelty of this accessory is that it does not need controlled conditions such as the treadmill or the bike.
It is used to carry out the stress test and define the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds.
“It’s a test to evaluate the physical condition of the players, their power. It’s like seeing the difference in power between one car and another. It’s important to later be able to individualize the work plan,” the coach told Whites’ YouTube channel, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“We are going to see the anaerobic and the aerobic threshold and that allows me to individualize the training and better plan the season on a physical level. For me, it is important because I really like to know the physical condition of each player,” he explained.
Pintus went on to acknowledge that the players do not really like the technology much. In fact, he mentioned that an unnamed Real Madrid star even called him a devil just because they are forced to undergo the practice.
“They don’t like it very much because it is very hard. The mask analyzes oxygen but they already know it. There is a player who has told me that I am a devil, but I am not going to say who.
“Players undergo this torture and I appreciate it because we have a fantastic group of people and they are very hard-working,” he added.
The head of physical preparation revealed that he started the practice during his time with Monaco and he will continue with it since the data received from the test is much better now.
“I started doing this test 20 years ago, with Monaco. I continue with it because it is important to see the evolution of the players’ physical condition over time. The data is better now than before.”
Lastly, he explained that although the players do not like it, the coaching staff is very happy with the physical level of the players.
“All the staff are very happy with the physical level of the players. It is a very fast and very physical squad. We are very happy and we have a lot of confidence. The players submit to torture, they like to work. We are all united, all together,” he concluded.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
