A quick reset after third place
Lamine Yamal did not sulk. That is the message from Hansi Flick, who spoke on Friday ahead of Barcelona’s home game with Alavés and went out of his way to defend his winger. Yamal finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting, behind Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, and plenty expected a flat week to follow.
Flick says the opposite happened. He told reporters he is “very proud” of how the 19-year-old responded and that he looks sharp and focused in training. In his words, that is how champions react. He also made a point of saying Kane deserved the award too, which closes the door on any suggestion that the dressing room feels robbed.
Yamal left the ceremony with the Kopa Trophy as the best player under 21. He arrived as one of the favourites after winning the World Cup with Spain and the league title with Barcelona last season.
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A rare wobble for Barcelona
The Ballon d’Or is only half of Flick’s headache. Barcelona still lead La Liga, but they have lost back to back for the first time this season, first to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and then to Real Madrid in the league. The German coach called the run nothing irreversible and insisted his team is playing well.
Alavés visit on Saturday night at 9 pm local time. A win would settle some nerves, and Yamal will be at the centre of it.
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