Lamine Yamal and his call-up to the national team for the next break were once again one of the central themes of Hansi Flick’s press conference before the match against Celta de Vigo. “He is recovering his level, but he is not yet at 100%. He still has discomfort. We have to take care of him, not only here, but also in the national team, which I think they do too. That’s all I can say,” said the Barça coach. Flick confirmed that he had not had contact with Luis de la Fuente —“No, I haven’t spoken (to them),” he said, referring to the national team coaches—, for whom Lamine’s performance last Wednesday in Bruges did not go unnoticed. “I think he’s in perfect shape,” the coach said on Friday after handing out his call-up for La Roja’s upcoming matches against Georgia and Turkey, starting next week.
Hours later, president Joan Laporta, after open training at the Camp Nou, responded: “I mean it as a recognition. He is the best in his role and it is normal that they call him. I would like him to take action. I think Spain are almost classified. But I don’t want to influence any decision of the coach.” Flick, for his part, was more discreet when asked about his president’s words: “I ask the same thing as when he plays here: that they take care of him.” Both the Federation and the club share the common goal of protecting the attacker. But in recent months the call-up of Barça’s number 10, the minutes played and his pubic discomfort have been recurring topics in the press conferences of both coaches.
Meanwhile, Lamine aims to gain rhythm on the pitch. “There was a lot of talk about my groin pain, or that I was too sad. But I remained the same as always: focused on what I did and trying to play at this level, and that’s how I feel better and make the best time,” said Barça’s number 10 after the draw against Brugge. “He has changed discipline, he is much better. He is training very well, even in the gym. He follows daily treatments. It is very important for his injury that he does this”, concluded Saturday Flick, who has already warned on several occasions that even so Lamine’s physical problem is not completely overcome.
Lamine was still him at Bruges, but not at Barça. “In Bruges we didn’t see the fighting spirit we need. I hope we will see it tomorrow,” said Flick, who in turn denied the players’ lack of effort. The Barça striker will return to Las Rozas next Monday, but first, on Sunday, he will have to move to Balaídos against a Celta ready to go.
