Tension is said to be brewing inside Barcelona’s dressing room after reports emerged that the club’s top executives pressured Hansi Flick to start Lamine Yamal in the Champions League clash against PSG, despite disciplinary issues.
According to reports, Yamal was initially not meant to start the game after showing up late to training. Flick, who has been enforcing strict discipline since taking charge at the start of the 2024/2025 season, reportedly decided to bench him as punishment.
However, sources claim that the club’s sporting director, Deco, and other senior figures instructed Flick to start Yamal anyway, prioritizing his on-field influence over disciplinary action.
The decision is said to have frustrated Hansi Flick, who has been working to instill order and professionalism within the squad. The German manager reportedly expressed concern that such interference from the board could undermine his authority and the standards he’s trying to build.
Flick had previously benched Raphinha and Marcus Rashford for similar offenses when they arrived late to training, as part of his commitment to equal treatment and accountability within the team.
Following the incident, Hansi Flick reportedly confronted Barcelona’s board, insisting that his authority as head coach must be respected if the club wants lasting success both on and off the pitch.
The internal dispute has sparked debate among fans, with some backing Flick’s disciplinary stance while others argue that Yamal’s talent makes him too valuable to be sidelined in key matches.
