Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has suggested that teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is gradually finding his way back to his “top level” ahead of Monday’s La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano.
The 19-year-old struggled in Barca’s opening match of the season against Elche but showed improvement in the second fixture against Athletic Bilbao, although he was unable to find the net.
Flick said the Spanish World Cup winner is edging back toward his best form, a level Yamal has not hit since suffering a hamstring injury in April.
The winger returned to action at the World Cup but, despite Spain’s success at the tournament, had limited individual impact.
“I know everyone is worried about how is Lamine, how is he doing. And of course, look at his situation, he played a World Cup after a huge injury,” Flick told reporters on Sunday.
“Now he’s coming back after three weeks holiday… and also the first game maybe was not his best game.
“But I said this, I was very happy that he starts the game and he worked for the team.”
Yamal underwhelmed in the first half against Athletic on Thursday but raised his game after the interval.
“He played 90 minutes against Bilbao. And for him at the moment, it’s also good to (have) 90 minutes on the pitch,” Flick continued.
“We saw him in some situations really on this top level. And now, you couldn’t see this in the training (session) today, but I saw it and it was excellent.
“Everyone loves Lamine and he’s in a good way. And we have to support him and we do that.”
Yamal appeared to be in a low mood following the game against Elche but seemed more upbeat in training ahead of the Rayo fixture.
“Of course, it’s always good when the players are smiling, but it’s not every day the same day,” Flick added. “I’m also not smiling every day it’s like that.”
Barcelona have won both of their opening fixtures this season, with Raphinha deployed as a makeshift number nine after the champions failed to land their top target, Julian Alvarez, from Atletico Madrid.
“Of course I’m happy with my team, (sporting director) Deco is working on that to strengthen the team. We don’t have pressure,” Flick said, reiterating that he remains content with the players at his disposal even if Barca don’t sign a new striker.
