Barcelona manager Hansi Flick praises 18-year-old Lamine Yamal’s dedication and mindset after substituting him in a 3-0 win against Levante, emphasizing player development and team spirit

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has praised young star Lamine Yamal for his mentality after he appeared disappointed following his substitution in the team’s 3-0 victory over Levante on Sunday, February 22.

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The Blaugrana reclaimed the top spot in the LaLiga table following the win, with goals from Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermin Lopez.

Yamal, just 18 years old, was replaced in the 88th minute by Roony Bardghji and was visibly upset as he sat on the bench.

After the game, Flick addressed the situation, saying he welcomed Yamal’s reaction as a sign of his determination and desire to contribute to the team.

“I love that he is disappointed. It shows his mentality. He always wants to score goals, pass the ball to teammates, and support the team in every way possible. That is good. That’s exactly what we hope our players will give us,” Flick said.

The German coach also noted the importance of managing the young Spaniard’s playing time to protect his legs and ensure long-term development:

“He is 18 years old. We have to take care of him. He gets a lot of playing time and today the game stayed under control. It was the right time to let him rest.”

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The result allowed Barcelona to edge ahead of Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 to Osasuna, leaving them just one point behind their rivals in the league standings.