Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was full of praise for Lamine Yamal on Wednesday night after his top performance against FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League victory.
Barcelona recovered from a slow start at the Camp Nou on the matchday, overturning a first-half deficit to claim a convincing 4-1 win in the final round of the group stage. The result secured direct qualification to the round of 16, with Flick admitting the performance was a tale of two halves.
“Everyone saw that we played a better second half than the first. We are all satisfied, as are the fans, thanks to this second half,” Flick said.
Flick acknowledged the difficulties posed by Copenhagen, praising their intensity while admitting Barcelona still have work to do.
“We faced a brave Copenhagen team that pressed hard; it was a good match, but it also shows that we have a lot to improve.”
Explaining the turnaround after the break, the German coach insisted there were no dramatic tactical changes, only a renewed emphasis on positional discipline.
“It wasn’t about radical changes. In the second half, we wanted to play as before, but we told the players they needed to occupy their correct positions. I wasn’t satisfied with the first half, but in the end, everyone was happy,” Hansi Flick said after the game.
Yamal’s display drew particular praise, with Flick noting how the teenager continues to adapt as opponents increasingly focus on stopping him.
“He also has to adapt; opponents now always mark him with one, two, or even three players. He is performing excellently. His speed in the first goal was amazing, he made a crucial pass and then scored the goal that gave us the lead,” the coach shared.
Beyond his attacking contribution, Flick stressed that Yamal’s defensive work has taken a significant step forward.
“Not only has his performance improved in attack, but he has also improved a lot in defense. I remember one of his ball recoveries that was crucial. He performed brilliantly, and I am very happy. He has incredible quality. He keeps possession in every one-on-one situation, and that is very important for us,” the Barcelona manager said.
