"We don't have just one player" - Flick on Yamal's reaction to his substitution

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said that "it was important to take all three points" on Tuesday in the Champions League against Swiss side Young Boys (5-0), after the opening day defeat to Monaco.

"It was important to take the three points and, at 5-0, I think we deserved it. At the start we played with a bit less confidence, but after the first goal our confidence returned and it was all very easy. We're satisfied and we have to continue like this," said the coach in the press room at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Flick played down the importance of striker Lamine Yamal's angry reaction after being substituted in the second half: "That's part of the game. We don't have just one player; we have many players. He has played a lot of minutes. Given the score, I allowed myself to take him out along with Robert Lewandowski.

The coach also said that midfielder Frenkie de Jong has taken "a great first step" in his recovery after five months out through injury and, in the same vein, he was positive about the recovery process of striker Ansu Fati, who has also been given playing time.

"He is doing very well in training. After his injury we have to help and support him to get back to his best. He needs time and we will give it to him. He wants to improve a lot, he is a good professional and we have deserved to be patient with him," he concluded.

 

October 1, 2024