The noise around Barcelona this week has not been about tactics, systems or even Atletico Madrid. It has been about a teenager kicking the turf in frustration.
Lamine Yamal’s angry reaction to being substituted in the weekend win over Atletico in La Liga has dominated the build-up. It was not the first time this season the 18-year-old has bristled at seeing his number go up. It will not be the last. And Hansi Flick is in no mood to turn a flash of temper into a crisis.
The Barça coach moved quickly to close ranks around his prodigy, framing the outburst as the natural friction of a young star desperate to shape every minute of a big game.
“What we have to remember is that Lamine is 18 years old. He’s an incredible player,” Flick said, making sure the age came before the criticism. “Sometimes you see what he does, and it’s amazing – especially in one-on-one situations. But he’s only 18.”
That line, repeated and underlined, is the shield Barcelona intend to keep in place.
Flick did not deny the confrontations. He leaned into them. Yamal, he explained, is not sulking because he wants an early night. He is furious because he still believes he can beat “four or five defenders and shoot”. When that belief meets a substitution, sparks fly.
“Sometimes he gets upset when I sub him out, maybe because he’s trying to take on four or five defenders and shoot. He might be frustrated. He’s emotional, and that’s okay,” Flick insisted. “We support him. We help him grow. We have to look out for him.”
This is the tightrope Barcelona are walking. On one side, the raw, electric talent that can tilt a tie on its axis. On the other, the risk of burning him out or bending him under the weight of expectation. Flick’s message was clear: the club will carry that weight for him.
“I know everyone is watching him because he’s fantastic. But he’s only 18. We all make mistakes. We’ll always protect him. He’ll be the best in the future.”
The words are bold. They are also deliberate. At a club that has never been shy about anointing the next great hope, Flick is trying to control the temperature around a player who already looks like he belongs on the biggest stage, yet is still technically a teenager learning how to manage disappointment.
While the spotlight clung to Yamal, Flick’s mind was already drifting back to Atletico – and not the one that left empty-handed at the weekend. Diego Simeone rarely makes the same mistake twice, and the German knows it.
He spoke with obvious respect about the team Barcelona must now face over two legs, stressing not just their shape but their mentality.
“Atletico is a tough team. They have the right attitude, fast players, and are strong on the field,” he said. “On Saturday, they rested several players and still played well. It’s not easy to score two goals against Atletico. That’s all I can say. It’s always tough.”
That last sentence sounded less like a cliché and more like a warning. Flick has seen enough of Simeone’s sides to understand that one good result does not open the floodgates. It usually tightens the screws.
He hinted at specific work on discipline and the physical battle, a nod to the dark corners of a tie where Atletico often thrive. Barcelona know that if they lose their heads, the contest can turn ugly very quickly. If they stand up to the duels and keep the ball moving, they can drag Atletico into places they do not enjoy.
“The match will be very exciting. We’ll try to get a good result, but we know we have to play there,” Flick said, already looking ahead to the return leg and the noise that awaits. “We want to reach our goal. We have to focus on our performance and what we do. We have to focus on our own game. That’s what I want to see.”
It is a simple demand, but not an easy one. To beat Atletico over two games, Barcelona must impose their style without losing their edge. They must trust their football while matching Simeone’s team stride for stride in intensity.
And somewhere in the middle of that battle, an 18-year-old winger will again look to take on four or five defenders, again feel the adrenaline of a stadium rising with every touch, and again face the moment when his coach decides his night is over.
How Barcelona manage those moments with Lamine Yamal may say as much about their future as the scoreline against Atletico.
