Hansi Flick talks Pedri, Yamal, Ferran and more after Athletic Club 0-1 Barcelona

San Mamés, Saturday night: a single flash of Lamine Yamal brilliance was enough to keep Barcelona’s cushion at the summit of the table intact, but the 1-0 victory over Athletic Club told a broader story of resilience, rotation and recovery that Hansi Flick was eager to dissect once the final whistle sounded.

“Winning in Bilbao isn’t easy,” the German coach told reporters. “We had to manage the minutes after Tuesday’s game. It’s good because we kept a clean sheet and won the three points. One less game, three more points.”

Those three points arrived despite a performance that fell short of Barcelona’s usual fluency. Athletic created enough chances to trouble the scoreboard, yet the Catalans escaped with their seventh league shut-out of the campaign, a statistic Flick believes should not be undervalued.

“When we play our style, we sometimes concede a lot of chances. It doesn’t matter how high up the pitch we defend. A clean sheet is always good,” he said.

The decisive moment came 12 minutes after the restart. Picking up possession on the right, Yamal shifted the ball onto his left foot and arrowed a curling effort beyond Unai Simón, sealing a win that, on another evening, might have eluded the visitors. It was the 17-year-old’s latest contribution in a season already studded with milestones, even if the coach felt the winger was below his electrifying best.

“I don’t think Lamine had his best game today, but he decided it… When he has space… he can create chances. And he practices these kinds of plays that can win you a game,” Flick explained.

The triumph also offered a timely lift after the mid-week Copa del Rey elimination at the hands of Atlético Madrid. Flick praised the squad’s mentality in the aftermath of that 3-0 second-leg defeat, insisting the mood inside the Ciutat Esportiva has remained upbeat.

“I think there’s a special atmosphere in this team, and I value it. I value how they’re together, their attitude. Everything is fantastic, I’m happy,” he said. “After the 3-0, despite being eliminated, I saw a good atmosphere in training. I see them focused on their work, and that’s important.”

Central to Barcelona’s control in the second half was the introduction of Pedri. The Canary Islander, eased back after a recent injury, helped settle midfield rhythms and combine effectively with Dani Olmo. Flick left no doubt about the 22-year-old’s importance.

“Pedri makes everyone better. He’s a game-changer. He links up well with everyone. Olmo also played better in the second half when he came on. Pedri makes everyone better; he’s different. But what I saw from the team was also important, that they fought as a unit,” he stressed.

While Yamal continues to hog the limelight, Ferran Torres’ struggles in front of goal persist. The Valencian forward spurned a presentable first-half chance and has now gone six league matches without finding the net. Flick conceded the striker is suffering a confidence dip.

“A number nine is always valued for his goals. Right now, he lacks confidence. He’s in good form; he’s fast and usually scores. But it could be that he’s having a run of bad luck and his confidence isn’t at 100%. We need to work on that,” the coach admitted.

There was also concern for teenage midfielder Marc Bernal, who was withdrawn midway through the first half. Flick confirmed the change was enforced: “He had some physical problem and he had to leave.”

Barcelona now turn their attention to a mid-week Champions League assignment, buoyed by another victory ground out on the road and another demonstration that, even when below par, they possess the individual quality to decide tight contests.

Keywords: