⚠️Alarm at Barça: Flick rested Lamine, Pedri has a niggle | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are up against it after losing 0-2 to Atlético de Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Goals from Sørloth and Julián Álvarez silenced a Camp Nou crowd that watched their team, despite dominating possession even with ten men, fail to break down the red-and-white wall.

Concern over Pedri and praise for the team

Hansi Flick explained Pedri’s substitution at half-time as being due to “some discomfort,” saying he preferred not to take any risks. Despite the defeat, the German coach praised the “fantastic” performances of Gavi and Dani Olmo in the second half, highlighting the team’s collective effort to try to turn the score around.

A “shield” for Lamine Yamal

Flick’s main focus was on Lamine Yamal. After seeing the frustration of the 18-year-old, the manager called for protection from both those around him and the referees against the opponents’ “excessive roughness.” “He’s an incredible player; he’s the reason people go to the stadium, like Mbappé or Vinícius. We have to protect him,” Flick said, with the comeback in Madrid firmly in his sights.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 MANAURE QUINTERO - AFP or licensors