Barcelona’s head coach Hansi Flick praised 19‑year‑old Lamine Yamal for handling his recent Ballon d’Or disappointment with the composure of a champion. Yamal, who was a strong contender for the award, finished third behind Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé at the London Palladium gala last Monday. Flick said the young forward “reacted good in my opinion” and has remained focused in training, a response Flick described as typical of a champion.
Yamal also secured the Kopa Trophy, given to the best male player under 21, for the third consecutive year. After accepting the award, he publicly praised teammate Pau Cubarsí, saying he deserved the prize more than himself. Flick echoed this sentiment, noting Cubarsí’s impressive season and World Cup performances. “For me, it was clear. Pau normally deserves to win this trophy,” Flick told reporters, adding that Yamal’s humility was a positive sign for the club’s future.
The Barcelona side, currently sitting atop LaLiga, will host Alavés at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday. The match follows consecutive defeats to Paris Saint‑Germain and Real Madrid, prompting Flick to express optimism about the team’s title chances while acknowledging growing concerns over defensive injuries. He highlighted the loss of four defenders—Jules Koundé, Xavi Espart, Eric García and Andreas Christensen—alongside midfielder Dani Olmo, and admitted the squad’s depth is being stretched. With only Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, João Cancelo and Alejandro Balde available, Flick suggested alternatives such as deploying young midfielder Brian Fariñas at full‑back or moving Frenkie de Jong to centre‑back. He also indicated that the club might look to the January transfer window to bolster the back line.
In addition to on‑field concerns, Barcelona announced that the “grada de animación” – a 2,000‑seat standing section behind one of the goals at Camp Nou – will remain closed for the Alavés fixture. The decision follows disciplinary proceedings triggered by incidents during last weekend’s Clásico defeat to Real Madrid, including offensive chants, objects thrown at players, and a flag striking Eduardo Camavinga. The club stated it would meet with the groups responsible for the section to establish commitments that ensure passionate yet respectful support, with the aim of reopening the area for the upcoming Champions League match against Aston Villa.
As the season progresses, Flick remains confident that Barcelona can recover from recent setbacks, though he stresses the importance of managing injuries and maintaining a disciplined fan base. The team’s focus will shift to the upcoming league match, where tactical adjustments and squad resilience will be tested in the quest to secure another title.