Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he would defend teenage star Lamine Yamal from criticism for his occasional «emotional» outbursts ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
The 18-year-old winger failed to celebrate Barca’s late winner in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Atletico in La Liga, which sent the Catalans seven points clear at the top of the table.
Yamal was visibly irritated, with Spanish media reporting that this was because a member of Barcelona’s coaching staff warned him from the touchline for shooting when he could have passed.
The Spain international has also shown his anger at being substituted by Flick in the past, and the coach said he would support Yamal no matter what.
«What we have to see is that Lamine is 18 years old and for me he is an incredible player. You can see that when you watch the match again. What he does is incredible,» Flick told reporters on Tuesday.
«But he’s only 18 and sometimes he gets angry when I replace him. He had a situation where he dribbled past four or five players and then shot and missed.»
«Sometimes he’s frustrated that he didn’t score this goal and he’s like this, he’s emotional and this is good. I’ll always support him.»
Flick admitted that Yamal’s expressions of disapproval on the sidelines sometimes create headlines that are less than ideal for the team.
«He is a fantastic player, on the right track, we will help him develop,» said the German coach. «Not everything he does is good because it creates noise around our team. I know everyone is looking at him because he is a fantastic player, but we also have to see that he is 18 years old.»
«Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. I told him: no problem, you can do it and I will always protect you. This is what I want for him. Show everyone on the pitch how good he is and he will be one of the best, maybe the best player in the future.»
‘Fantastic’ Rashford
Yamal shone last season as he helped Barcelona reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, as close as they have come to the trophy since winning it in 2015.
Flick added that Marcus Rashford needs to press better when Barcelona are out of possession. | Photo credit: Reuters
Flick added that Marcus Rashford needs to press better when Barcelona are out of possession. | Photo credit: Reuters
Flick said the quarter-final against Diego Simeone’s Atletico would be tricky to navigate, starting at Camp Nou on Wednesday in the first leg.
«Atletico are a tough team, they have the right attitude, a lot of intensity, fast players, fantastic players on the pitch. On Saturday they rested a lot of players, but the quality was very high. They love to defend, they know how to defend in a deep block, it is not that easy to score two goals at Atletico. It is always difficult.»
«There will be a lot of emotions in this match because it is two legs. We will try to do our best to get a good result tomorrow.»
Marcus Rashford is in line to start on the left flank in place of injured winger Raphinha. The England international, on loan from Manchester United, scored against Atletico on Saturday.
Flick said he still needed to improve his defensive work rate but admitted Rashford was doing well, although he has not said whether he wants the club to exercise the purchase option for the forward.
“(Pressing) is also part of our game and that’s very important, not just with the ball (where) everyone knows it’s fantastic,” Flick said. He does (dribbling) one on one very well, but defending is also part of our game and part of football. But he is doing well, he has adapted a lot and we need him… to help his teammate on the wing.»
Published on April 7, 2026
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