Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, has defended his decision to substitute teenage sensation Lamine Yamal during their dominant 5-0 win over Young Boys in the Champions League. Despite Yamal’s visible frustration at being taken off with 15 minutes still left to play, Flick emphasized the importance of squad rotation.
The 17-year-old wonderkid, who had been pushing for a goal, was replaced by Frenkie de Jong, and his displeasure was clear as he left the field. However, Flick stood firm on his call, stating that the team’s overall performance and balance were his primary concerns. “We can’t let individual desires dictate our strategy,” Flick remarked. “We have multiple players who contribute, and resting key members, like Yamal, is crucial for the long season ahead.”
Yamal has been an integral part of Flick’s setup, featuring heavily in Barca’s campaign so far. With the team already cruising at 4-0, Flick saw the substitution as an opportunity to rest the young forward for upcoming challenges.
Barcelona will now turn their attention to La Liga, where they aim to rebound from a 4-2 loss to Osasuna as they prepare to face Deportivo Alaves.
