Barcelona coach Hansi Flick played down concerns over Lamine Yamal‘s start to the new season, saying he will support the forward after a draining few months.
Yamal, 19, has started Barça’s opening two games of the season but has not yet registered a goal or an assist despite the Spanish champions registering 5-0 and 2-0 wins over Elche and Athletic Club.
His demeanour in and around the Elche game was questioned in the media in Spain — with Flick later revealing he was suffering from headaches — but he appeared much more jovial in training ahead of Monday’s visit from Rayo Vallecano.
“It’s always good when a player’s smiling,” Flick said in a news conference of the upturn in Yamal’s mood. “Every day is not the same for anyone. I am also not smiling every day.
“I know everyone is worried [about] how Lamine is and how he’s doing, but you have to look at the situation.
Read more:Lionel Messi scores 4 goals as Inter Miami hit 7 in record win
“He played the World Cup after a huge injury; now he is coming back after a three week holiday. His first game was maybe not his best, but I was happy he started and worked for the team.”
Yamal injured his hamstring in April but returned to feature at the World Cup, playing all eight games as Spain lifted the trophy in New Jersey in July.
That meant a delayed return to preseason training, but Flick says there are already signs he is ready to kick on again after making a slow start to the campaign.
“In Elche, he gave us more opportunities; this was excellent,” the German coach added. “And now he played 90 minutes against Athletic and for him, at the moment, it’s also good to stay on the pitch for 90.
Read more:Alejandro Balde must improve to stay at Barcelona – Flick
“We saw him in some situations on this top level. You could see this again in training today. He was excellent. This is how everyone loves Lamine. He’s in a good way. We have to support him and we will do that.”
Raphinha, meanwhile, has started the season in fine form, scoring three goals while playing as a No.9 as Barça’s search for a new striker goes on.
“As a No.9, you always start the pressing and he’s doing this very good,” Flick said of the Brazilian’s new role in the side.
“He is one of our leaders on the pitch. When he starts the intensity, the dynamic, everyone is included. And in front of the goal he’s doing fantastic. This is why he is playing there.”
Read more:Lamine Yamal explains Lionel Messi advice after World Cup final, says it was as valuable as a medal
Raphinha’s deployment as a striker could continue until at least January, with Barça looking unlikely to sign a new striker due to Atlético Madrid’s refusal to engage in negotiations over their top target, Julián Álvarez.
Barça’s public pursuit of Álvarez has been one of the sagas of the summer, dominating every news conference so much that Flick was surprised at not being asked about the Argentine on Sunday.
“Are you not going to ask about Julián?” he joked. “[You could], but I would just give you the same [non] answer as always.”
With a deal for Álvarez proving impossible, Barça are unlikely to sign a striker before Tuesday’s deadline, although they remain alert to any opportunities which may present themselves in the coming days, with a left-sided centre-back also wanted.
Read more:Tom Cruise announces a follow-up film to ‘Days of Thunder’ to hit theaters in 2028
–
–
“We are always looking about what is possible until the end of the market,” Flick said.
“[Sporting director] Deco is working on that; if we can strengthen the team. This is what he’s doing. But [we are] calm, we don’t have pressure.”
Barça will look to make it three wins from three on Monday when they host Rayo at Spotify Camp Nou, with summer signing Rodri pushing for his first start after returning to training on Sunday.
Gavi, however, is expected to be missing again with bruising on his knee, along with long-term absentees Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji.
