Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has urged young talent Lamine Yamal to move past his recent struggles against Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella. After a disappointing 3-0 defeat in the Champions League, Yamal now faces two critical LaLiga matches at Spotify Camp Nou.
Lamine Yamal’s Challenge Ahead
Yamal, 18, had a tough outing against Cucurella, leading Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Robert Sánchez, to comment that Cucurella had effectively “pocketed” Yamal. Flick substituted Yamal in the 80th minute, and the young player expressed disappointment at being taken off.
- Yamal’s current season stats: 6 goals and 7 assists in 13 matches.
- Barça’s recent performance left them 18th in the Champions League standings.
Flick’s Response and Future Focus
In a press conference, Flick addressed Yamal’s reaction and emphasized the importance of shifting focus to upcoming matches against Alavés and Atlético Madrid. Flick stated, “Lamine’s mood is good” and highlighted that many players feel emotional when substituted.
He praised Cucurella as one of the best left-backs globally, acknowledging the challenge it poses for Yamal. Flick stated that the focus must now be on Alavés, indicating a need for a strong performance.
Upcoming Matches and Player Status
Barcelona is gearing up for two crucial home matches. First up is Alavés, with an opportunity to move temporarily to the top of LaLiga, pending Real Madrid’s result against Girona. Following that, Barça will face Atlético Madrid, who are currently enjoying a six-match winning streak.
Barcelona will be bolstered by the return of key players. Pedri is back from injury, while Raphinha may start for the first time since September. However, Fermín López is sidelined for two weeks due to a calf injury, and Ronald Araújo is dealing with a stomach bug.
Flick’s Optimism
Flick remains optimistic about Barcelona’s direction. He noted the quality observed in training and expressed confidence as players return from injury. With the strategic philosophy emphasizing pressing, he’s eager to see improvement in team dynamics.
“It’s not just about the defenders,” Flick remarked, stressing the collective responsibility of the team during pressing situations. He looks forward to seeing Yamal and the rest respond positively in the upcoming games.
