BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday he will “protect” teenage star Lamine Yamal after recent criticism.
The 18-year-old winger struggled in the Clasico last weekend as champions Barca fell to a defeat that left them five points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Yamal was also in the spotlight for comments before the game insinuating Madrid “steal (and) complain” which riled Los Blancos fans and a big part of the Spanish media.
“We speak with him... we are very honest together, he with me and I with him and this is the best way,” Flick told a news conference ahead of Barca’s match against Elche on Sunday in La Liga.
“I will always protect him and support him. He’s a fantastic player, fantastic guy, he’s very young and we will go on this way.”
Yamal has been struggling with a groin injury for a few weeks and although he started the Clasico, he put in a subdued performance and still seems affected by the issue.
“Lamine is good. I just spoke with him and he’s doing good,” continued Flick.
“Of course he has some days where he feels some pain but now he really works hard, he improve a lot about these things. He’s on a good evolution so this is what we can say.”
The German coach said Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo were available again after injury, while Barca are still without Pedri Gonzalez, Gavi and Joan Garcia among others.
Flick explained veteran striker Lewandowski and playmaker Olmo’s returns had helped raise the quality in training.
“What I can see now with Dani and also with Lewy back, the last two training (sessions) were very good,” added Flick.
“It’s not just that they increase the level and quality, but that the others are increasing their level, also the young players. It’s nice to see and hopefully we can show it tomorrow.”
The Catlans host Elche at the Olympic Stadium, with the promoted side coached by Eder Sarabia, who was a former Barca assistant coach under Quique Setien.
Elche are in mid-table after a strong start to the season, having suffered only two defeats, and Flick said they play “fantastic football.”
Flick will ‘protect’ Barca teen star Yamal
https://arab.news/5z9zh
Flick will ‘protect’ Barca teen star Yamal
- “We are very honest together, he with me and I with him and this is the best way,” Flick said
- “I will always protect him and support him. He’s a fantastic player, fantastic guy, he’s very young and we will go on this way“
Svitolina says mental health break fueled her run to first Australian Open semifinal
- The 31-year-old Ukrainian swept aside French Open champion Coco Gauff 6-1 6-2
- Svitolina, the 12th seed, reached the last four at Melbourne Park for the first time
MELBOURNE: Elina Svitolina credited her first-ever Australian Open semifinal run to the mental health break she took at the end of last season — a move she believes rejuvenated her.
The 31-year-old Ukrainian swept aside French Open champion Coco Gauff 6-1 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, ending the American third seed’s bid for a third Grand Slam title.
Svitolina, the 12th seed, reached the last four at Melbourne Park for the first time after three quarter-final appearances, keeping alive her hopes of a maiden major title.
“It was difficult decision in one hand, but then I spoke with my team and family,” Svitolina told reporters. “If I would keep pushing last year, I think I would not start here. I would be exhausted, and even not sure if I would be injury-free.
“So for me it was important to just step back, and I’m very happy that I did that. Of course, now it’s easy to say because the results have been great ... but I still think it’s something that helped me.” Svitolina won the Auckland Open this month, her 19th WTA title, after ending her 2025 season early to focus on her mental health.
Asked whether she surprised herself with how quickly she rediscovered her form, Svitolina said: “I tried to trust myself ... When I’m fresh, when I’m mentally ready to face difficult situations, then I can play well.”
Svitolina next faces Belarusian top seed Aryna Sabalenka, against whom she holds a 1-5 losing record.
“It’s no secret she’s a very powerful player,” Svitolina said. “The power in all parts of her game is her strength. I think she’s very consistent for the past years with everything that she does on the court. I’ll have to be ready for that, try to find the ways and the little holes, little opportunities in her game.”
