Since joining Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain, Barcola has been adapting to the demands of the Premier League.
"The biggest difference between Ligue 1 and the Premier League? Ligue 1 is also physical, because there are many strong players who engage in tough challenges. Here, it's more about the running you need to do," he explained. The rapid pace of the game quickly put pressure on him, and he even experienced unusual pain after his first few games in his new team.
Barcola was accustomed to playing in a Paris Saint-Germain team that quickly regained possession, making it easier for him to get back into attacking positions. Now, he has to run back and forth across the pitch constantly.
"The game is fast-paced, and the ball changes ends quickly. It's not as tactically structured as Ligue 1. I have to run a lot, which is why I had cramps in my first few games. The intensity is very high," he continued. In the Premier League, rapid transitions and repeated exertion have forced the former Olympique Lyonnais player to make significant physical adjustments. For the Frenchman, this is a new reality, where even forwards are required to undertake extremely demanding defensive work.