Barcelona Boss Hansi Flick Confirms Lamine Yamal Is Fine After Substitution

Hansi Flick shared some interesting insights after Barcelona’s impressive 4-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-finals

He mentioned that Lamine Yamal requested to be substituted toward the end of the match, but reassured everyone that there are no serious fitness concerns. Yamal played for 86 minutes, scoring the final goal and then signaling to the bench for a change.

The team is already feeling the absence of Dani Olmo, who is dealing with an adductor injury, and losing Yamal would be a tough blow given his significant impact on the field. Thankfully, Flick emphasized that Yamal is “fine,” explaining that he had just put in too many minutes during the match.

This season, Yamal has been an extraordinary asset for Barcelona, playing in 43 out of 48 matches across all competitions. While he may not match Jules Kounde’s staggering 101 consecutive appearances, it’s still an impressive amount for a 17-year-old. No other player under 18 comes close to his playing time for club and country this season.

When Lamine Yamal came off, it provided Ansu Fati a rare chance to step in. Unfortunately, Fati has had limited playtime this season, with just 191 minutes to his name.

Flick highlighted that Fati earned his opportunity, especially with injuries affecting the squad.

Looking ahead, Yamal is likely to keep getting substantial playing time, especially as the season intensifies. The team is gearing up for a crucial league match against Leganes this Saturday to maintain their lead over Real Madrid in the title race, followed by a Champions League quarter-final next Tuesday. And, there’s the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid to look forward to at the end of April.

As Flick reminded Lamine Yamal earlier this season, “Champions don’t rest.” It’s an exciting and challenging time for this talented young player and the entire Barcelona squad.