In his first season at FC Barcelona, German coach Hansi Flick has made a major impact, transforming the team into one of the best in Europe during the 2024-25 campaign. One of Barça’s brightest stars, Lamine Yamal, has now spoken out in favor of Flick, revealing how the coach earned the players’ respect.
After a turbulent period under Xavi Hernandez, Flick emerged as an option for Barcelona—a club that last remembered him from Bayern Munich’s infamous 8-2 thrashing in the Champions League. However, despite that painful memory, Flick has completely shifted the perception of both fans and players, building a team that is competing on all fronts.
In an interview with UEFA’s official website, Yamal was asked about his relationship with Flick, shedding light on the coach’s human side: “He is a very kind person, someone you can talk to. He asks how you’re doing, he teaches you a lot, and I’ve learned so much from him. That’s why he is respected both as a coach and as a person. He is exactly as you see him—strict, but at the same time, he understands what each player needs at any given moment.”
Yamal also spoke about the balance Flick provides between tactical structure and freedom on the pitch. “When it comes to defensive concepts, he does ask certain things of me, but in the attacking phase, he doesn’t give me many instructions—he just tells me to enjoy myself, and that’s it. That’s the trust he gives us,” the 17-year-old revealed.
This season, Barcelona has faced disciplinary cases, with players like goalkeeper Iñaki Peña and Jules Kounde suffering the consequences of Flick’s strict guidelines. However, these disciplinary measures have instilled a sense of structure and focus, helping Barça become an unstoppable force on the pitch. Now, with the Spanish Super Cup already secured in January, the team is chasing an ambitious quadruple.
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Yamal’s Champions League dream
After making his debut last season, Yamal has now opened his Champions League goal-scoring account, becoming the second-youngest player to do so—trailing only Ansu Fati. The Spanish prodigy reflected on the significance of the moment, comparing it to the World Cup.
“There are two competitions where scoring a goal makes you feel much happier than in any other: the Champions League and the World Cup. They are the two most important tournaments. When the Champions League anthem plays, everyone gets goosebumps. I scored against Monaco and Atalanta, and I had never felt that sensation before—only at the EURO with my goal against France,” Yamal revealed.
