Flick dismisses claims that he was pressed to play Yamal against PSG

VIDEO SHOWS: BARCA SQUAD TRAINING AHEAD OF THEIR LEAGUE GAME, REMARKS BY COACH HANSI FLICK EDITORS PLEASE NOTE, PROFANITY IN SHOTS 4 AND 6 RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: SANT JOAN DESPI, SPAIN (OCTOBER 17, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. FORWARD MARKUS RASHFORD AND MIDFIELDER FRENKIE DE JONG JOGGING 2. FORWARD LAMINE YAMAL ARRIVING TO PITCH 3. BARCELONA COACH, HANSI FLICK, TALKING TO FCB STAFF 4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARCELONA COACH, HANSI FLICK, SAYING: “Sorry about the word, but this is totally bullshit (eds note: Flick refers to rumours that he was forced to include Lamine Yamal in line-up against PSG).” 5. NEWSCONFERENCE ROOM 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARCELONA COACH, HANSI FLICK, SAYING:  "I think we have the whole confidence and they will never ask this. And so, I can say it’s bullshit and I have nothing to hide because this is not true, and if someone told this he is lying. (eds note: Flick refers to rumours that he was forced to include Lamine Yamal in line-up against PSG)” 7. YAMAL TRAINING AND JUGGLING THE BALL 8. YAMAL AND THE REST OF BARCA PLAYERS DURING RONDO DRILL 9. PLAYERS TRAINING 10. YAMAL AND BARCA PLAYERS WARMING UP 11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARCELONA COACH, HANSI FLICK, SAYING:  “We have not every player ready to play but doesn’t matter. We have players enough and also, it’s a big chance for another players. For the young players or for player who haven’t played so many minutes. So for me it’s the situation and this is normal for us as a coach we have to manage it and I’m not worried about this. We have to fight and I think we will fight tomorrow.”  12. MEDIA 13. GOALKEEPERS WARMING UP 14. ALEJANDRO BALDE AND MIDFIELDER FRENKIE DE JONG DURING RONDO DRILL 15. RONDO DRILL 16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARCELONA COACH, HANSI FLICK, SAYING:  “Also they (Girona) have a lot of injuries, a lot of players out, so it’s about starting well in this match. It has to be different than in Sevilla, of course. We began there not in our highest level, this is what I want to see from the players, we want to fight and we have to fight.” 17. NEWSCONFERENCE ROOM 18. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS TRAINING STORY: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick on Friday (October 17) denied reports of internal divisions at the club, dismissing claims that Sporting Director Deco pressured him into starting Lamine Yamal against Paris St Germain despite the winger’s alleged late arrival for training. Ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga clash at home to local rivals Girona, Flick labelled the talk rubbish, asserting his autonomy over team selection and his positive relationship with Deco. "I don’t know where you have got that information from, but at the end, I’m sorry about the choice of words, but it’s totally bullshit, okay?!" Flick told a press conference. Barca, who trail LaLiga leaders Real Madrid by two points, face Girona amid a mounting injury crisis that leaves Flick without eight first-team players, including striker Robert Lewandowski, who suffered a torn thigh muscle with Poland. The Catalans are also missing Dani Olmo, Gavi, Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Despite the setbacks, Flick remained optimistic, particularly regarding the return of Raphinha ahead of next week’s El Clasico against Real Madrid. Barca enter Saturday's match under pressure having suffered consecutive defeats by PSG at home in the Champions League and a humbling 4-1 loss at Sevilla in LaLiga before the international break. Flick urged his players to show greater commitment and to fight for every ball. (Production: Horaci Garcia, Nina Lopez, Silvio Castellanos, Fernando Kallas)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)