FC Barcelona Coach Flick Fires Warning To Lamine Yamal

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick fired a warning to star player Lamine Yamal during an interview published by the club’s official magazine.

The pair have just wrapped up a domestic treble-winning season together in Flick’s maiden term manning the dugout, and while Lamine is currently holidaying in Brazil with former Barca winger Neymar, Flick interrupted his own vacation to reflect on some key topics.

One was Ballon d’Or candidate Lamine, who Flick reminded us he often says is a “genius”.

“And he’s 17 years old, we have to help him,” Flick added, in comments that echoed those of Cristiano Ronaldo recently.

“So far everything is fine. If he wants to play the next 15 years at the highest level he needs to train very well and prepare mentally as well. He’s smart. Not everything is about enjoyment, you also have to work, and players with their talent must do it,” Flick also warned, though he is confident that Lamine has “good examples in the team” such as Raphinha, “who trusts him a lot.”

Flick spoke more about the number 11, who he was impressed by after watching for the first time.

“[He’s]

very dynamic, giving the last pass, assisting [Robert] Lewandowski… I also saw that he needed confidence. He is Brazilian and therefore he has quality, but he also puts in heart, mentality and attitude. In addition, he always works in defense. He has a lot of potential,” Flick said.

Though it was only coming up short in a Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, by an aggregate score of 7-6, that cost Barca the chance to have an untouchable four-trophy season, Flick stressed that his approach is “not about seeking perfection, but progression”.

“When I see the team improving day by day, I think that’s what I really want. I’m here at this incredible club to help these players show their best selves. So we’ll work hard and try to play at the highest level. That means, of course, fighting to win the Champions League and La Liga, which is not easy at all. It’s about working hard and doing it together, to show what a great team we are,” Flick stated.

Flick pointed out that “it’s not all physical, it’s also mentality” as well, in terms of generating success.

“In the last games of the season we perhaps suffered a little with the pressure they put on us in defence because they knew us better. It is important to have the best physical trainers and that they adjust to the football that is played at Barca. I could bring them from Germany, but I think it’s a different philosophy and the players need someone to work with theirs. That has also been a success of Deco, which has brought experienced people to the club. I think Julio Tous is perhaps the best. In addition, German, Pepe and Rafa have done a great job,” Flick said.

FC Barcelona has a job on its hands to stay on top

After Flick and his troops more than exceeded expectations in their first season together, FC Barcelona now has a job on its hands to stay on top of the pile and continue exerting domestic dominance over arch nemesis Real Madrid. Furthermore, there is a lot of road ahead when it comes to ending Barca’s wait for a first UCL title since 2015.