Lamine Yamal is returning to his “top level,” Barcelona coach Flick says

Hansi Flick says Lamine Yamal is beginning to look like himself again. The Barcelona coach pointed to moments in the winger's 90-minute performance against Athletic Bilbao that showed him returning to his “top level.”

Yamal struggled in Barcelona's opening La Liga match at Elche and did not score against Athletic, but Flick said the second performance represented progress. The teenager returned to action at the World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury in April, although he had limited individual impact during Spain's successful tournament. He then came back to Barcelona after a three-week holiday.

Flick said Yamal's first game back was not his best, but praised his willingness to work for the team. He also viewed completing 90 minutes against Bilbao as useful for the player's recovery. “Everyone loves Lamine, and he’s in a good way. And we have to support him, and we do that,” Flick told reporters on Sunday.

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Everyone loves Lamine, and he’s in a good way. And we have to support him, and we do that.

The coach also played down concern over Yamal's mood. The winger appeared unhappy after the Elche match but looked more cheerful in training before the meeting with Rayo Vallecano. Flick said players do not smile every day, adding, “I’m also not smiling every day. It’s like that.”

Barcelona won both of its opening fixtures with Raphinha operating as a makeshift number nine. The champions failed to sign their main target, Julian Alvarez, from Atletico Madrid, but Flick said he was happy with the available squad and had no pressure to add a striker. Sporting director Deco was continuing to work on strengthening the team.

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I’m also not smiling every day. It’s like that.