Hansi Flick Backs Lamine Yamal: “He Can Make Mistakes, I Will Protect Him”
The FC Barcelona coach defends the young star after his reaction at the Metropolitano and highlights his huge potential despite his age.
Hansi Flick spoke ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash against Atlético de Madrid, with one name dominating the headlines: Lamine Yamal.
The young winger made waves after the recent match at the Metropolitano, where he did not celebrate Robert Lewandowski’s goal and left the pitch visibly frustrated despite the win. Flick, however, was quick to defend him.
“He tried everything. He is only 18 years old and for me he is an incredible player. Sometimes he gets frustrated, which is normal when he doesn’t score or faces multiple defenders. But he plays with emotion and commitment,” Flick explained.
The German coach played down the situation and put things into perspective: “Everyone is watching him because he’s a fantastic player, but we must not forget his age. I told him he can make mistakes, and I will protect him.”
Flick went even further when speaking about the youngster’s future, making his confidence in him crystal clear: “He is on a very good path. We are helping him develop in the right environment. He will be one of the best, or even the best player in the future.”
Regarding the match against Atlético, Flick stressed the importance of sticking to their identity and the role of the fans: “It’s important that we play with our style. The connection with the fans is very strong and we will need them.”
He also warned about the challenge posed by Diego Simeone’s side: “Atlético is a tough team, with intensity, speed and fantastic players. They know how to defend very well and it’s not easy to score against them.”
The clash shapes up to be a demanding test for a young Barça side aiming to keep growing in Europe while managing the pressure and expectations surrounding talents like Lamine Yamal.
