German coach hits back at rumours that he was pressured into fielding the youngster
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has dismissed suggestions that sporting director Deco pressured him into starting Lamine Yamal against Paris Saint-Germain.
According to reports, Yamal arrived late for training before the Champions League match against PSG and Flick wanted to bench him, the punishment he gives every player for latecoming, but Deco intervened and said they needed the youngster to start the game.
“I don’t know where you have got that information from, but at the end, I’m sorry about the choice of words, but it’s totally bullshit, okay?” Flick told the media.
“I never, never, was asked that. I really appreciate how they believe in my work. They would never ask me something like this. So I can say it’s bullshit! And if someone said this he’s lying.”
The German has found himself under scrutiny following back-to-back losses, a defeat to PSG in the Champions League where he confessed his side where not at the “level” of the European champions, followed by a comprehensive 4-1 league defeat to Sevilla.
It has seen Barcelona drop to second and two points behind rivals Real Madrid ahead of the crucial clásico at the Santiago Bernabeu on 26 October, which could yet see them drop five points behind.
Complicating matters further, Flick is now without a slew of first-team players due to injury, including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia, Ferran Torres and Gavi.
“We have to manage the situation,” Flick said. “That’s our job.
“The academy players may get their chance, as well as those who haven’t had many minutes so far.”
