Barcelona manager Hansi Flick hailed Lamine Yamal’s return to form but urged caution over the teenager’s ongoing groin issue after his dazzling display helped earn a 3-3 draw at Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The 18-year-old, who had been struggling with pubalgia, followed up his weekend goal in La Liga with another electric performance in Belgium, inspiring Barça as they fought back three times to rescue a point.
Nicolo Tresoldi’s opener for Brugge was cancelled out by Ferran Torres, but Carlos Forbs restored the home side’s advantage before the break.
Yamal then equalised on the hour mark with a brilliant solo move, combining neatly with Fermin Lopez before finishing calmly inside the box.
“I’m happy that Lamine is back at this level,” Flick said. “The important thing is that he manages his situation properly, because it’s not easy. He has to focus on his training and treatments so the pain goes away.”
Forbs struck again to put Brugge ahead for a third time, before Yamal’s deflected shot off Christos Tzolis ensured Barcelona left with a share of the spoils.
Yamal, speaking after the game, dismissed rumours that his injury had affected his mindset. “A lot has been said about my pubalgia, that I was sad, but it was all lies,” he said. “I’ve been happy and focused, just working to get back and play at my best.”
His goal drew comparisons with Lionel Messi, but the youngster brushed off the hype. “Messi has scored thousands like that,” Yamal smiled. “I just have to follow my own path and try to score many more.”
