Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has lauded the 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal as a “genius” ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan in Italy.
Yamal lit up the Montjuic Stadium with a sensational solo goal and a fearless attacking performance, helping Barcelona claw back from a two-goal deficit to draw 3-3. The young winger struck the woodwork twice and was a constant menace for the Inter defence, showcasing the maturity and skill of a player well beyond his years.
“Lamine is a genius at 17, he’s incredible,” Flick said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the return leg in Milan. “But for me, it’s all about the team. I want the players to be at the highest level and play without the weight of pressure on their shoulders. We must enjoy this match.”
Yamal has already achieved remarkable milestones in his brief career. At just 15 years and 291 days, he became Barcelona’s youngest-ever debutant in April 2023. Since then, he has not only become a key figure in Xavi’s squad and now Flick’s but has also broken records across domestic and European competitions. Playing his 100th game recently, Yamal became the youngest-ever goalscorer in a Champions League semi-final, surpassing the mark set by Kylian Mbapp.
The Spain international has enjoyed a remarkable rise, including becoming the youngest La Liga scorer in October 2023 and helping his national team win UEFA Euro 2024 this past summer.
Flick also emphasised the importance of the moment, with Barcelona already having secured the Supercopa de Espaa and Copa del Rey. “Winning two titles means that every player improves in these types of matches. This is the best way to approach such encounters,” he said.
Meanwhile, the manager confirmed that veteran striker Robert Lewandowski is available for the clash at San Siro after recovering from a muscle injury. “We also spoke yesterday, everything goes on in the right way he’s much better than we expected and ready for the bench,” Flick revealed.
With Yamal continuing to dazzle and key players returning, Barcelona will be eyeing a return to the Champions League final for the first time since 2015.