Yamal return the key for five-star Barcelona, says Flick

According to Blaugrana coach Hansi Flick, the return of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was the key behind Barcelona's 5-1 thrashing of Real Mallorca.

Spanish Euro 2024 star Yamal was sidelined for four weeks due to an ankle injury, with Flick's side picking up just one point from three LaLiga games in that time.

These stumbles allowed Real Madrid to reduce their lead at the top to one point, while Los Blancos still had a game in hand. However, Barça responded emphatically on Tuesday.

Captain Raphinha scored twice as they defeated Mallorca, with Yamal assisting his second as one of two chances he created for teammates.

Speaking to Movistar Plus after the win, Flick said of Yamal: “Today he was very important for us, he always generates positive things for the team.

“He could have scored one or two goals today, he played very well.

“Of course I am happy with the team performance. In the first half we had many chances and scored, they equalized on a counter-attack, but we kept pushing. The whole team is happy with how things went tonight.”

Flick didn't even need his star striker Robert Lewandowski against Mallorca.

Lewandowski, the top scorer in LaLiga with 15 goals this season, was rested after appearing in all 20 of Barcelona's previous games in all competitions.

Lewandowski's replacement Ferran Torres pounced on a sloppy Mallorca defense to give the visitors an early lead, drawing praise from his coach.

“Lewandowski needed rest, we had to take care of him,” Flick said. “And Ferran played a very good match and scored the first goal, it is also very important for him.

“When we need him, he is always there. Today we didn't have to play against Lewandowski.”

Barcelona top the table with 37 points, four points ahead of second-place Real Madrid, who have two games in hand. Atletico Madrid are now third on 32 and have one match in hand.