"He is an extraordinary talent" - Hansi Flick names Barcelona star who can 'always make the difference' ahead of UCL clash
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has termed attacker Lamine Yamal as a difference-maker ahead of his side's UEFA Champions League visit to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (December 11).
The Blaugrana have fared well under their new boss, topping the La Liga standings and occupying third place in the Champions League after five matchdays, winning four times.
Following a surprise 2-1 loss at FC Monaco on matchday one, Flick's side are on a four-game winning run in the competition, winning 5-2 at Crvena Zvezda in their previous outing.
Coming off a 2-2 La Liga draw at Real Betis at the weekend, Flick hailed Yamal's ability to impact games ahead of the Champions League clash at Dortmund:
"Lamine Yamal can always make the difference, in any game," he said (as per Barca Times). "He is an extraordinary talent."
Yamal, 17, is regarded as a generational talent following his superb exploits for Barca during a breakthrough 2023-24 campaign. In 50 games across competitions, the teenager bagged seven goals and nine assists.
He carried over that form to the European Championships in the summer. Yamal contributed a goal and four assists as Spain won a record fourth title, beating England 2-1 in the Berlin final.
Yamal is on course for a career-best season, bagging six goals and 11 assists in 19 games across competitions as Flick's side compete across multiple fronts.
"I believe we can beat Dortmund" - Barcelona boss Hansi Flick
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is confident of his team's chances of emerging victorious at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. The Blaugrana are unbeaten in two matches in the Champions League against BvB, winning one.
Regarding the dropped points in La Liga at the weekend, Flick rued his side's inability to capitalise on their chances, having led in each half. He said as per UEFA.com:
"Losing those two points hurts us a lot. There are some situations we have to correct, but we have the potential, and I am convinced we can do great things. I believe we can beat Dortmund and play well."
About his team's chances of winning at Signal Iduna Park, the former Bayern Munich tactician added:
"We're going to play in a fantastic stadium with an incredible atmosphere, but I have full confidence in the team and in what we do. We have to stay together to win the match."
Barcelona are looking to end their 10-year wait for a Champions League title, having lost won the competition in 2015 as part of a continental treble.