Sat Dec 06 18:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Flick Challenges Yamal to Bounce Back After Chelsea Defeat as Barcelona Address Defensive Woes
Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has urged young star Lamine Yamal to quickly move on from his struggles against Chelsea in the Champions League and focus on upcoming LaLiga clashes against Alavés and Atlético Madrid. The plea comes in the wake of Barcelona’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, a match where Yamal was effectively contained by Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.
“The next step now for Lamine is to show again it’s not about this match, forget it,” Flick stated in a press conference. “Alavés is now the important thing and he has to show his best performance, his best level.”
While acknowledging Yamal’s frustration at being substituted, Flick downplayed any potential issues, emphasizing that such reactions are common among players. He also lauded Cucurella as “one of the best left-backs in the world,” highlighting the difficulty of the task Yamal faced.
The Chelsea loss not only highlighted individual struggles but also raised concerns about Barcelona’s overall defensive performance. Experts like Stewart Robson and Craig Burley, analyzing the match for ESPN, have pointed out the team’s defensive vulnerabilities. Flick, while acknowledging the disappointment of the defeat, defended his tactical approach.
“For me, also to make it clear for all the experts outside, they have no idea how we want to play,” Flick retorted, insisting that pressing involves the entire team, not just the defenders. “It’s about midfielders, strikers, who start the pressing.”
Despite the setback, Flick remains optimistic about Barcelona’s future. The return of Pedri from injury provides a boost in midfield, while Raphinha is poised to make his first start since September. However, Fermín López is sidelined with a calf injury, and Ronald Araújo is battling a stomach bug.
“I appreciate the things I see in training, we are focused, we have a lot of quality and players coming back now,” Flick said.
Barcelona has an opportunity to temporarily claim the top spot in LaLiga with a victory over Alavés. They will then face a crucial test against Atlético Madrid, who are in excellent form, having won their last six matches in all competitions.
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