Yamal boost as Barca bid to end losing run against PSG

VIDEO SHOWS: BARCELONA TRAINING AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP PHASE MATCH AT HOME TO PSG / COMMENTS FROM BARCELONA COACH HANSI FLICK & MIDFIELDER PEDRI  RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: BARCELONA, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 30, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)  1. FORWARD MARCUS RASHFORD WALKING OUT FOR TRAINING WITH TEAMMATE 2. PLAYERS WALKING OUT  3. GOALKEEPER WOJCIECH  SZCZESNY WALKING OUT 4. VARIOUS OF DEFENDER JULES KOUNDE & FORWARD LAMINE YAMAL WALKING OUT 5. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS GATHERED AHEAD OF & DURING TRAINING GOING THROUGH DRILLS THAT INCLUDE KICKING THE BALL IN THE AIR TO EACH OTHER 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARCELONA COACH, HANSI FLICK, ON LAMINE YAMAL, SAYING: “This is, you know, for me, it's like this ‘super, super, super’. I don't like this. He's an outstanding player, but also in our team we have some more players about this, and he's 18 years old, and for me also, he has to focus on working hard. It's not like, it's not always easy, and the point with talent, you are okay. You can go to this point, but to reach the next level are maybe one, two steps more, and I think he's able to do it. He has to work hard, and this is what he also needs. It's not only about playing with the ball, playing football with the ball, it's also defending, and this is, I think, also what we need from every player, not only from the others. So, it’s also from a great player with a ball like him, and maybe I think this makes the difference.”  7. VARIOUS OF SZCZESNY GOING THROUGH CATCHING DRILL  8. PLAYERS GOING THROUGH DRILL INVOLVING PASSING THE BALL WITH THEIR HANDS 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARCELONA COACH, HANSI FLICK, ON HIS SIDE BEING SEEN AS FAVOURITES FOR THE TOURNAMENT ALONGSIDE THEIR OPPONENTS & DEFENDING CHAMPIONS PSG, SAYING: “Of course, we are Barca. We also like to be a favorite of winning the Champions League, but we also know that it's hard work and it's a long way, and PSG is a fantastic opponent. No, I don't think about the last match, because now we have to focus on this match. No, no thoughts about the last match, because now it's a different opponent, different PSG, different Barca, so, it's changed totally these things.”  10. VARIOUS OF TRAINING UNDERWAY  11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BARCELONA COACH, HANSI FLICK, ON BOTH SIDES STRUGGLING WITH INJURIES, SAYING: “With this schedule, I think it's a part of our business that we also have to manage injuries. It's not good also for the players, because I'm, I think every coach loves to have every player ready to play, and this is the situation also for the fans, for everyone who is looking, watching this match. Huge players are not able to play, but this is the part, and I think also in every team, also we have great quality, good quality also, and it will be also tomorrow a great game.” 12. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS GOING THROUGH TAG DRILL  13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA MIDFIELDER, PEDRI, ON PSG WHO HAVE GOTTEN THE BETTER OF THEM IN THE TOURNAMENT IN RECENT YEARS ESPECIALLY IN KNOCKOUT GAMES, SAYING: “Well, I think all of us at Barca felt at one point that we were just a step away from getting through. It was a difficult match, and we want to get our revenge. I think football always gives you a chance for revenge. The following year, you can try again in the Champions League or whatever you’ve lost or fallen behind in, and it's clear that everyone wants to play these matches, especially because, well, it's one of the best teams in the world and these are the matches you enjoy the most.” 14. VARIOUS OF FLICK WALKING AMONGST PLAYERS  15. PLAYERS GOING THROUGH TAG DRILL  16. TRAINING UNDERWAY  17. PLAYERS GATHERED GETTING A DRINK  18. PLAYERS GATHERED 19. VARIOUS OF RONDO DRILL  STORY: Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is embracing the challenge of facing Paris St Germain in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday (October 1), despite the French side having caused the Spanish side problems in recent years. The French defending champions eliminated Barca in the 2021 round of 16 and the 2024 quarter-finals, winning on their last two visits to the Camp Nou. The stakes are, however, lower in the revamped group stage format, and both sides will be depleted by injuries. PSG will be without captain Marquinhos, Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, and Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, forward Raphinha and long-term absentee Gavi are unavailable. Barcelona, the LaLiga champions, will be boosted by the return of teenage forward Lamine Yamal from a groin injury. The 18-year-old helped Barca beat Real Sociedad on Sunday to leapfrog Real Madrid atop the Spanish standings. Barcelona beat Newcastle United in their opening group-stage match, and PSG started their title defence by thrashing Atalanta 4-0. (Production: Miguel Gutierrez, Elena Rodriguez, Iain Axon, Stefan Haskins)

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