Get you up to speed: Lamine Yamal getting back to ‘top level’, Barcelona coach Flick says
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick stated that Lamine Yamal is improving as he works back to his “top level” ahead of the upcoming La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano. Yamal, 19, performed better in the second game against Athletic Bilbao after a challenging start to the season, although he did not score.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick confirmed that Lamine Yamal played 90 minutes against Athletic Bilbao, indicating improvement following his hamstring injury sustained in April. The club remains focused on strengthening its squad, with sporting director Deco actively working on potential signings ahead of the transfer deadline.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick stated that Lamine Yamal is recovering his form ahead of the upcoming La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, reaffirming the team’s support for the young player. Flick also noted that sporting director Deco is actively working to strengthen the squad, although he expressed confidence in the current roster’s capabilities even without a new striker.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain when Lamine Yamal will fully regain his form following his hamstring injury.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick says Lamine Yamal is regaining top form
Sport|FootballLamine Yamal getting back to ‘top level’, Barcelona coach Flick says
Teenager struggled in Barca’s La Liga start at Elche but improves against Athletic Bilbao, according to Hansi Flick.
Published On 30 Aug 202630 Aug 2026
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has indicated that teenage star Lamine Yamal is finding his way back to his “top level” before Monday’s La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano.
The 19-year-old struggled in Barca’s first match of the season at Elche but improved against Athletic Bilbao in the second, Flick said, although he did not find the net.
“I know everyone is worried about how is Lamine, how is he doing. And of course, look at his situation – he played a World Cup after a huge injury,” Flick told reporters on Sunday.
Flick said the Spanish World Cup winner is returning to his best, which Yamal has not hit since suffering a hamstring injury in April.
The winger returned at the World Cup but, despite Spain’s success, had limited individual impact at the tournament.
“Now he’s coming back after three weeks holiday, and also the first game maybe was not his best game.
“But I said this, I was very happy that he starts the game and he worked for the team.”
Yamal disappointed in the first half against Athletic on Thursday but stepped up a gear after the break.
“He played 90 minutes against Bilbao. And for him at the moment, it’s also good to [have] 90 minutes on the pitch,” Flick continued.
“We saw him in some situations really on this top level. And now, you couldn’t see this in the training today, but I saw it, and it was excellent.
“Everyone loves Lamine, and he’s in a good way. And we have to support him, and we do that.”
Yamal seemed in a bad mood after the game against Elche but happier in training before the Rayo clash.
“Of course, it’s always good when the players are smiling, but it’s not every day the same way,” Flick added.
“I’m also not smiling every day. It’s like that.”
Barca won both of their opening fixtures with Raphinha playing as a makeshift number nine after the champions were unable to land top target Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
“Of course, I’m happy with my team. [Sporting director] Deco is working on that to strengthen the team. We don’t have pressure,” Flick said, reiterating he is content with the players available to him if Barca don’t sign a new striker.