No Room for Ego: Flick Keeps Yamal in Focus as Barcelona Gears Up for Sevilla

Yamal’s Injury Status and Squad Management

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick spoke at a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s La Liga trip to Sevilla at the Sánchez Pizjuán, addressing Lamine Yamal’s fitness and a recent exchange with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. He underscored that the match will be tough and effective, requiring focus and smart play from the group.

He began by outlining the anticipated contest: Sevilla play with high energy and passion, and they enjoy strong support from their loyal fans. The clash promises to be demanding, and Barca must stay disciplined and clever to secure the result they want.

On Yamal’s condition, Flick stated that if there is any doubt about his match readiness, he will not participate. The youngster spoke with him today; Yamal feels better, yet he has not reached the necessary level of readiness. The coach stressed that the club cannot gamble on a player of his age when he represents the club’s future.

Flick added that his job is to give Yamal minutes at the right moment when he returns. Yamal is a very smart player who knows how to win the ball back and contribute to the team even when not directly involved with the ball. The situation must be managed with extreme care.

He noted that a precise return date remains uncertain because the injury is not muscular, making a clear timetable hard to pin down. Recovery could span a couple of weeks or more, and it remains unclear whether he will be ready for the Clasico.

De La Fuente Clash and International Duties

Turning to the recent dispute with Spain’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente, Flick explained that the issue arose after the last international window. His aim was to protect the players, and he views what happened as in the past. He does not want to dwell on negatives, acknowledging it wasn’t easy for either side.

He stood by his earlier comments, saying that today it is essential to handle matters sensibly and focus on the present and the future. He wanted to send a message to shield players and calm the situation, emphasizing that the goal was not to clash but to defend the club’s interests.

Regarding the management of international players, Flick said: Every player wants to represent his country; that’s natural. But clubs must manage their minutes with care, since international breaks affect players’ physical and mental state, especially when they are involved in many games. International players are a positive, but their involvement comes with a heavy responsibility to balance workloads.

About Bernal’s call-up to Spain’s U21 squad, Flick commented that the situation remains delicate. Bernal hasn’t regained full fitness yet; he’s seen daily in training and needs more time. Caution is required for him at both Barcelona and within the Spanish setup.

Commenting on the federation’s plan to merge two international windows into a single block next season, Flick admitted he wasn’t sure whether it would be beneficial. He said it might help the federation gather players for longer periods, but he could not offer a definitive judgment yet.

Paris Loss, Selfishness, and the Path Forward

Flick revisited the European defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, acknowledging the disappointment and the natural desire to learn from it. He explained that, after analysis, the team must be smarter in certain moments and maintain their pressing intensity to prevent giving opponents space. The Sevilla game will be a meaningful test in this context.

Regarding his previous remarks about “selfishness” within the squad, Flick clarified that his critique targeted everyone involved—staff, management, and fans alike. All parties strive for success, but the club’s interests must come first, and collective discipline remains essential to win titles.

He emphasized that collective commitment is the key to lifting trophies. After the last international pause, there was positive energy in training and a belief in their direction. While Paris’ defeat was painful, Barca is a club of stature and ambition, and the team must move forward with confidence.

Flick closed by stressing that the Sevilla match is a true test of restoring confidence. He highlighted the balance between physical readiness and mental focus, the importance of small details, and the club’s readiness for domestic and European challenges ahead.

Punchline 1: Ego on the pitch is like a yellow card—dangerous if it keeps showing up and shadows the team’s real goals.

Punchline 2: If football is life, Barca’s late game plan should come with a group hug and a pizza break—because even champions need carbs and camaraderie sometimes.