Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has challenged teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to up his work rate before Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
Teenage winger Yamal, 18, who finished runner-up to PSG talisman Ousmane Dembélé at last week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, returned from a groin problem in Sunday’s La Liga win over Real Sociedad, setting up a goal within a minute after being introduced as a substitute.
(Calling him) super, super, super… No, I don’t like that. He is 18 years old, and for me, he must work hard,” Flick told reporters on Tuesday. “With natural ability, you can reach this level, but to reach the next level, he must work harder and I think he can.
Barcelona, who won a home treble last term but were edged out in the Champions League semifinals by Inter Milan, welcome Luis Enrique’s intense high-pressing PSG to what is expected to be a tough match.
Flick has been stressing defensive responsibility, and he maintained that Yamal and his colleagues must remain alert when French champions PSG are in possession.
“It’s not only playing with the ball; it’s also defending. That’s what makes the difference even for good players,” Flick went on.
Barcelona, in short, has to maintain concentration “from the first second until the end of the match” to win the match.
