Barcelona coach Hansi Flick stated on Tuesday that if teenage star Lamine Yamal is to improve, he must concentrate on enhancing his work rate ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
The holders visit Barcelona on Wednesday, and 18-year-old winger Yamal is eager to make an impression after finishing as runner-up at the Ballon d’Or gala last week, behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé.
Yamal returned from a groin injury on Sunday against Real Sociedad in La Liga and provided an assist just a minute after coming off the bench during a lively second-half cameo.
“(Calling him) super, super, super… I don’t like this… he’s 18 years old and for me, he also has to focus on working hard,” Flick told reporters.
“It’s not always easy; with talent, you can reach this point, but to get to the next level, one or two steps more – and I believe he’s capable of doing that – he has to work hard.”
Last season, Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, but fell just short in the Champions League, being defeated in the semifinals by Inter Milan despite two exceptional performances by Yamal.
Against Luis Enrique’s attacking PSG side, Flick emphasised that Yamal and his teammates must concentrate when the French champions are in possession.
“It’s not only about playing with the ball; it’s also about defending,” Flick continued.
“This is what we need from every player – even from a great player with the ball like him – and this is what makes the difference.”
Flick noted that to beat PSG, his team must maintain concentration “from the first second to the end of the match” and perform at their highest level.
