Barcelona is preparing for a decisive match against Benfica tomorrow in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 at the Montjuïc Stadium, after the Catalan team secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg.
The match will be crucial for advancing to the quarter-finals, as Barcelona looks to maintain its slim advantage and progress further in the continental tournament. The team will need to deliver a strong and cohesive performance to ensure qualification and continue its journey in the Champions League.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, there is no doubt about the talent of Lamine Yamal. At just 17 years old, the young winger has become one of the most prominent stars of FC Barcelona and a key player in Hansi Flick’s squad.
However, the German coach is aware that talent alone is not enough to achieve success at the elite level. For this reason, after the match against Benfica in the Champions League, Flick had a direct conversation with Lamine, using Pedri as an example to follow.
Pedri González is enjoying his best season at Barcelona. The Canary Islands midfielder has not only showcased his great technical ability, but also demonstrated noticeable improvement in his physical condition and dedication to work.
In the match against Benfica, Pedri was named man of the match and was also the player who covered the most distance on the pitch. This achievement was no coincidence, but rather the result of commitment and effort that Flick wants to see in Lamine Yamal.
The German coach emphasized that, despite his immense talent, Lamine must complement it with hard work and discipline. Flick made it clear to the young winger that talent alone is not enough, telling him: “You have to give your all in every training session and every match.” The message is clear: if Yamal wants to reach Pedri’s level, he must improve his defensive involvement and be more intense in his performance throughout the 90 minutes.
In the 55th minute of the match, Flick decided to substitute Lamine, a decision that surprised many. However, there were clear reasons behind it. Flick noticed that the young player was not fulfilling his defensive responsibilities as required, which contradicts his coaching philosophy. For Flick, all players, regardless of their position, must contribute to both attacking and defending. In this regard, Lamine still has a lot to improve.
The substitution was not a punishment, but rather a wake-up call. Flick knows that Lamine is still young and in a learning phase, but he also understands that, at a club like Barcelona, time cannot be wasted. Therefore, he decided to be direct with the player and used Pedri as an example of what is expected of him.
Flick’s message to Lamine Yamal is clear: talent is important, but it is not enough. To succeed at Barcelona, you must work hard, sacrifice, and give everything for the team.
Pedri is the perfect example of this, and now it is Lamine’s turn to follow in his footsteps. If he succeeds, his future will be as bright as that of his teammate, Pedri.