Hansi Flick, the manager of Barcelona, has reminded Lamine Yamal that talent should be combined with hard work if his potential has to be fulfilled.
Barcelona will be confronted with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, with the 18-year-old Spain International is expected to return to the starting line-up after a groin injury.
After missing the previous four games of the club, Yamal took a minute to make an impact when he came to Real Sociedad as a second half of replacement on Sunday for Robert Lewandowski to go home the decisive goal in a 2-1 win.
The result moved the side of Flick a point clear at the top of La Liga after the 5-2 humiliation of Real Madrid in City Rivals Atlético the previous day, and provided Yamal a welcome interpretation after he had been beaten to the Ballon d’Or by PSG Forward Dembélé.
The German supported the winger in the aftermath of that disappointment, but has made it clear that Yamal’s ability does not relieve him of the defensive tasks that film as non-negotiable.
What did Hansi Flick say about Lamine Yamal?
“I don’t like this whole ‘super, super’,” said Flick. “He is exceptional, but there are other exceptional players in the team. He is 18 years old and he must also concentrate on working.
“To come to the next level, one or two steps higher, you have to work hard. Talent alone is not enough.
“It’s not just about playing with the ball, it’s also about defending. That’s what we need from all players, not just him.”
Hansi Flick says that Barcelona is not revenge on PSG
PSG has won their two most recent visits to Camp Nou, which eliminates Barcelona in the Champions League in 2024 in the quarterfinals, three years after they raised them in the last 16. On both occasions the score was 4-1, but Flick states that his side will not be on revenge on Wednesday.
“It’s a different competition and we play against the best team of last season,” he said about encountering the European champions. “I love what I saw of them last year. It is a big challenge and we are looking forward to this competition. I am not thinking about the last game, I concentrate on the next one.”
PSG, who won their competition phase opener against Atalanta with 4-0, will be without being Dembélé and Désiré Doué, who were both injured in international duty with France. Marquinhos, the club captain and the Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Barcelona is without goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who will be replaced by Wojciech Szczęsny, while the Brazilian winger Raphinha is put aside by a hamstring injury. Midfielder Gavi is an absentee in the long term injury after a knee operation.
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