At a glance
- Lamine Yamal was outstanding for the most part in FC Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid, but caused controversy in not celebrating Robert Lewandowski’s late goal.
- Asked about the incident post-match by DAZN Espana, head coach Hansi Flick tried to play down its severity.
- Through the victory, Barca went seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick called Lamine Yamal‘s anger and being caught on camera not celebrating Robert Lewandowski’s late winner in a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid “normal”.
Putting on several displays of elite skill including a nutmeg of red-carded Nico Gonzalez, Lamine was one of the best players on the pitch but left it angry while DAZN Espana captured him being calmed down by Pau Cubarsi following Lewandowski’s strike.
Asked about the incident by the broadcaster in a post-match interview, Flick said: “I don’t know, he was a little angry. It’s normal, he gave everything and couldn’t score. Of course he’s emotional.
“Now he’s in the dressing room and he’s better. It has nothing to do with the game, he gave everything,” the German added.
Flick knew the victory was important for FC Barcelona
The Catalans clinched the first of three meetings against the Rojiblancos over the next 11 days, which also include a pair of Champions League quarterfinal ties.
Guiliano Simeone gave Atleti the lead on 39 minutes when ex-Barca defender Clement Lenglet caught Cubarsi napping and sent a long ball over the back line which the manager’s son smashed past Joan Garcia.
Taking the chance to impress in Raphinha’s absence, though, Marcus Rashford levelled ahead of Lewandowski snatching the points.
Those resulted in Barca now leading by seven after Real Madrid lost to Mallorca, and the impact of the smash-and-grab behind enemy lines wasn’t lost on the manager.
“It was a very important victory. They defended very well with 10 men, but we played very well with the ball. We controlled the game, I liked it. We tried everything to score the second goal. The most important thing is the victory and the three points. It’s not easy to play here, the atmosphere is very strong,” Flick stated.
Flick was tight-lipped on FC Barcelona’s renewal offer to Lewandowski
As Reshad Rahman reported this week, Barca are believed to have offered Lewandowski a one-year extension on his deal which expires on June 30, 2026.
Flick couldn’t discuss this too much, saying: “For me it’s too far away to talk about Lewandowski’s renewal. I’m happy with Robert and my players. There are eight league games left to play. We have to be focused. It’s our job; then we’ll see what happens.”
How will Flick handle Lamine Yamal?
Though he defended his player in public as is routine, we won’t know how Flick handles Lamine Yamal’s outburst behind closed doors.
Whether he was frustrated or not, it’s poor form for the teenager not to celebrate a goal as important as Lewandowski’s, and especially at a crunch time of the season where unity will be key to the team trying to repeat a 2024/2025 treble which this time could include a European crown.
As said, there was nothing wrong with Lamine Yamal’s performance which took in seven successful dribbles and seven shots while being appointed Whoscored?’s star man with an 8.2 rating.
But he needs to be careful about the type of message that his body language transmit, though his desire to do well can’t be knocked either.
