How Hansi Flick convinced Barcelona midfield starlet to stay amid January transfer links | OneFootball

One of the highlights of Barcelona’s clash against Mallorca last night was Marc Bernal’s goal – something nobody would have seen coming heading into the match.

The youngster is just beginning to find his feet and earning regular playing time after a long recuperation from an ACL tear last season, and last night he scored his first goal for Barcelona with a great finish.

Earning the ball with a great run between the lines, the La Masia midfielder showed great physical ability to maintain his acceleration over the defenders and then pulled off an immaculate cutback and finish to score the team’s third goal.

Flick’s role in Bernal staying

While Bernal is slowly accumulating minutes under his belt, it was not long ago that he was linked with a departure from Barcelona in search of more prominence. As relayed by MARCA, Hansi Flick had a special conversation with the player to avoid such a move.

Bernal scored a fabulous goal against Mallorca. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

The German tactician did not want to hear of Bernal’s departure given how highly he rates him, and thus called him to his office to explain the situation to him.

“I have seen what is coming out in the press,” he reportedly told the player, referring to the links with clubs including Girona.

He then gave Bernal a clear roadmap of how he had to be patient to earn a special place in the team, one that is seemingly inevitable given his talent.

“Calm down, stay, keep working and everything will come little by little,” he told him.

After the conversation with the manager, Bernal had no more doubts about his future and turned a deaf ear to any proposals. Now, he is earning more prominence game after game and his goal marked a special milestone in his return.