Barcelona’s recent match against Atlético Madrid has been the talk of the town, not only because of the Catalans’ 1-2 victory but also because of Lamine Yamal’s visible anger upon being substituted and the support he has received from his coach.
Far from criticizing his attitude, Hansi Flick took a firm and protective stance toward the 18-year-old winger, describing him as an “emotional” player.
Flick Defends Lamine
The Barcelona coach spoke with the press on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid. During the press conference, he was asked about Yamal’s anger toward José Ramón de la Fuente at the Metropolitano, where he displayed signs of displeasure on the field and walked off in frustration, amid a context marked by refereeing decisions, on-field actions, and mounting tension.
However, Flick focused on the player’s potential, whom he considers a key piece of Barça’s present and future, while noting that he is only 18 years old and that, even if he makes mistakes, he will always defend him:
“What we have to remember is that Lamine is 18 years old. He’s an incredible player. Sometimes you see what he does and it’s amazing, especially in one-on-one situations. But he’s only 18,” Flick said.
“Sometimes he gets angry when I substitute him, maybe because he’s trying to dribble past four or five defenders and take a shot. He might feel frustrated. He’s emotional, and that’s okay. We support him. We help him grow. We have to look out for him,” the coach added. “I know everyone is watching him because he’s fantastic. But he’s only 18. We all make mistakes. We’ll always protect him. He’ll be the best in the future,” the coach insisted, making it clear that the club must support the developing talent, even in moments of frustration.
Flick’s support comes ahead of a key match: Barcelona and Atlético Madrid will face off on April 8 at Spotify Camp Nou for the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
However, the coach was quick to draw a distinction from the previous match: “The Champions League is a different competition. That’s how I see it. We’re facing a tough opponent with fantastic players. We want to advance to the next round,” he said.
Meanwhile, Flick’s Barça has scored 301 official goals in 107 games with the German coach in charge after the game against Cholo Simeone’s team, with Marcus Rashford scoring the 301st, while Robert Lewandowski scored the 301st, sealing the team’s comeback and giving the team this important milestone.
Lewi (59 goals in 88 matches), Raphinha (53 goals in 87 matches), and Lamine Yamal (39 goals in 94 matches) have established themselves as the top scorers in the Hansi Flick era. Will they shine again against Atlético Madrid?
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