Barcelona manager Hansi Flick stood by his words that he was more impressed with Lamine Yamal’s role in their first match against Real Oviedo on Sunday than with his excellent strike in the third. The German’s praise raised eyebrows, choosing to shift the focus away from the 18-year-old’s goal.
The Blaugrana opened the scoring against Oviedo following a mistake at the back when Los Carbayones tried to play back. The offer was forced in part by the intense pressure put on by Lamine Yamal, and when asked about the teenager’s flying scissors kick, he chose to emphasize his part in the intense pressure instead.
#HansiFlick takes a different approach when asked about it #lamineyamalOviedo’s goal #bakery #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/i8hmjz2UG4
— Football España (@footballespana_) January 27, 2026
Speaking ahead of their clash with Copenhagen on Wednesday night in the Champions League, Flick doubled down on his comments.
“The relationship is good, like the other players. If we didn’t score the first goal, maybe the third one wouldn’t have come. I’m grateful that you press, that you give us the upper hand… In the end, everyone wants to see a goal, but as a coach, I value other things more, which is the key to scoring and getting into a good rhythm in the game.”
Click on Fermin Lopez’s progress – not Dro’s exit
After Dro Fernandez’s exit was confirmed on Monday, Flick was asked if he felt that Fermin Lopez, who did not break into the first team until he was 20, was a role model for other La Masia players to follow. Flick avoided offering any major differences with Dro, after Dani Olmo called it a ‘disgrace’, whose departure reportedly angered the German coach. Lopez has reached an agreement on a new contract with him.
“I think the club has done a good job. He is a great player in many areas. His mentality in every game is very good. He is very good in football, and I am happy that he is staying for a long time. When players from La Masia come to the first team, it is perfect. I think he enjoys every day.”
Roony Bardghji progress
Flick’s alternative to Lamine Yamal is former Copenhagen player Roony Bardghji. The Swedish striker joined for 2.5 million euros in the summer, and has two goals and four assists in his 490 minutes on the field, and Flick was asked about his progress by the Danish media.
“He played good games, it’s not easy for him because he is always compared to Lamine but he focuses on improving every day in training, we made the right decision when we signed him, he plays well with both feet and has a good finishing ability.”
🚨 OFFICIAL: PSG announce the signing of Dro Fernández. pic.twitter.com/e6RnvyAfFh
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 26, 2026
Lamine Yamal’s praise is not surprising
Flick’s words should come as no surprise. The German manager has always been keen to emphasize the importance of the team’s defensive play to his top players, as evidenced by his acquisition of Raphinha. In December, Flick did his best to praise the pressure of Lamine Yamal in training, and the young prodigy showed that he is very strong in technical intelligence, but Flick will see it as a great challenge to maintain his defensive strength, something he enjoys doing a little.
