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Lamine Yamal is not yet back at his best, but Barcelona coach Hansi Flick says the teenage winger is moving in the right direction.

The 19-year-old struggled in Barcelona's opening match of the season against Elche. He improved in the next game against Athletic Bilbao, although he did not score. Yamal played the full 90 minutes, which Flick described as useful at this stage of his return.

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Everyone is worried about how Lamine is, how he is doing.

Yamal has not reached his top level since suffering a hamstring injury in April. He returned for the World Cup, but Spain's success came with limited individual impact from the winger. Flick said the concern around Yamal was understandable after such a serious injury, a three-week holiday and a difficult first match.

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Everyone loves Lamine and he's in a good way.

"Everyone loves Lamine and he's in a good way," Flick told reporters. He said Yamal had shown moments of his best form in the Bilbao match and in training, adding that the club would continue to support him. Yamal appeared unhappy after the Elche game but looked more cheerful in training before the Rayo match.

Barcelona have won both of their opening fixtures with Raphinha operating as a makeshift centre-forward. The Spanish champions could not sign their main target, Julian Alvarez, from Atletico Madrid. Flick said sporting director Deco was still working to strengthen the squad, but he would be content with the players available if no new striker arrived.

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Of course I'm happy with my team. Deco is working on that to strengthen the team. We don't have pressure.