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Lamine Yamal: Barcelona boss Hansi Flick reacts to star forward frustration at late substitution – ‘He’s like this’


Highlights: Rashford, Yamal help Barca complete comeback victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick downplayed Lamie Yamal’s reaction to being substituted in his side’s 2-1 UEFA Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday.

The Spain international was replaced by Roony Bardghji in the 89th minute of the encounter, having been booked for a foul earlier in the half.

While Yamal, 18, appeared frustrated as he trudged to the bench, Flick insisted such behaviour is “fully acceptable”.

Flick said: “Next time he sits on the bench, it’s not a problem for me. It’s Lamine. He’s like this.

“He got a yellow card and with a few minutes to go we had to make a change. That’s why.

“And I totally understand (his reaction) because everyone wants to stay on the pitch. He also believes he can play 90 minutes or 100 minutes. He’s young and it’s okay.

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‘What a turnaround’ – Yamal sets up Kounde for second goal to put Barcelona ahead

Video credit: TNT Sports

“I think it shows a good attitude. If he was a bit annoyed, then I fully understand. I was a player too, and maybe I didn’t show my frustration like Lamine, but he’s a player of another level. It’s fully acceptable, not a problem.”

Yamal’s assist for Jules Kounde’s second goal of the encounter meant that the teenager has now produced more goal involvements than any other player under 19 in Champions League history, according to Squawka.

The winger has 14 goal involvements (seven goals and seven assists), which is one more than Kylian Mbappe’s previous record tally of 13 (10 goals and three assists).

On his brace against Frankfurt, Kounde said: “My first job is to defend well so I have to keep a balance.

“And there are games when we play against a back five. Today Frankfurt were very deep, so you have to attack the spaces in behind, which is what I tried to do. I had success with those two goals.”

Tuesday’s victory saw Barcelona climb to 14th place in the Champions League standings, two points adrift of eighth spot.

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