Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarterfinals was marked by a notable substitution, as Lamine Yamal was replaced by Ansu Fati in the 86th minute.
Coach Hansi Flick has revealed that fatigue, rather than injury, was the reason behind Yamal’s withdrawal.
Fatigue, Not Injury
Yamal, who scored Barcelona’s fourth goal in the win, had appeared to be in discomfort late in the game, signaling to the bench that he needed to be replaced.
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However, Flick insisted that fatigue was the primary reason for the substitution, rather than any underlying injury concern.
“I saw that he [Lamine] had played too many minutes, and for Ansu, it’s essential to have minutes,” Flick told reporters.
Yamal’s Stellar Season
The 17-year-old Yamal has been having an extraordinary campaign for Barcelona, scoring 14 times and registering 21 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.
His impressive form has been a key factor in Barcelona’s success this season, and Flick praised his contributions, highlighting the importance of his goals and overall play.
Flick’s Praise for Ansu Fati
Fati, who was given a rare chance to feature late in the game, was praised by Flick for his training and dedication.
The coach emphasized the importance of giving players opportunities to develop and gain match experience, stating that Fati “deserved to play today based on the way he’s training.”
Barcelona’s Treble Chances
With a 4-0 win over Dortmund, Barcelona are now one step closer to securing a potential treble.
The Catalan team are currently leading La Liga and are set to face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.
Flick’s side will need to maintain their form to achieve this impressive feat, but the coach is confident in his team’s abilities, praising their effort and enthusiasm.
