Flick on ‘unimaginable’ season – and the way Yamal replicated spectacular purpose twice in warm-up

Hansi Flick has referred to as Lamine Yamal’s astonishing purpose “excellent” and mentioned his gamers have “reached their peak” after a 2-0 win at Espanyol landed Barcelona the La Liga title with two matches remaining.

Spain prodigy Yamal took his tally to 41 direct purpose involvements for the season by slicing inside from the correct and curling a sensational end into the far nook of the online as a part of a vastly improved efficiency by the guests after the restart.

“I believe Lamine scored two targets like that within the warm-up,” Flick mentioned of Yamal, who is eighteen in July and has 17 targets and 24 assists in all competitions in 2024/25. “It was excellent.”

What successful by Lamine Yamal! 🤯🤯

The 17-year-old star offers Barcelona the lead with a wide ranging strike into the highest nook 🌟

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @sbk | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/PjyZcuhYHY

— Premier Sports activities (@PremSportsTV) May 15, 2025

Barcelona win title: Flick lands La Liga

A run of 4 defeats and two wins from eight video games between November and January conclusively ended Flick’s honeymoon and led to questions on his adaptation to the rigours of a Spanish title problem, together with dwelling losses to Las Palmas, Leganes and – within the 96th minute – Atletico Madrid.

After Barca drew 1-1 at Getafe on January 18 and Madrid thrashed Las Palmas a day later, Barca have been degree on factors with fourth-placed Athletic Membership, 5 behind second-placed Atleti and 7 shy of the reigning champions, though they retained a greater purpose distinction than the leaders.

“The second half of the season has been unimaginable,” mentioned Flick, reflecting on Barca’s sequence of 18 wins and two attracts domestically since then, by way of AS.

“We haven’t misplaced a single recreation. I congratulate the staff, the membership and the followers. It’s been unimaginable. [How] we’ve educated because the [winter] break has helped us.”

All in response to the plan. https://t.co/b6uv7Luwu1

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 15, 2025

Barcelona vs Actual Madrid

Flick has had an ideal season towards Madrid, beating them twice in La Liga and within the Supercopa remaining on January 12 and the Copa del Rey decider – after additional time – on April 26.

“It’s at all times essential to be mentally sturdy,” mentioned Flick, including that Barcelona “struggled” after dropping to Inter within the Champions League semi-finals.

“Profitable the Tremendous Cup additionally gave us confidence. The gamers have reached their peak. [Players] like Frenkie [de Jong] and others have improved.

“We’ve at all times thought positively, if you watch the coaching classes. At Barca, it’s a must to win titles – and three [trophies] is nice.”

Champions! Interval! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7sfNOOdVWz

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 15, 2025

Espanyol vs Barcelona

Defender Leandro Cabrera was despatched off for Espanyol within the eightieth minute after being adjudged to have swung an arm at Yamal following a Video Assistant Referee overview and pitchside monitor test by referee Cesar Soto Grado, and Fermin Lopez struck a second within the Ninety fifth minute as Barcelona’s celebrations started.

Barcelona have been uncharacteristically quiet earlier than the break, surviving two main scares on an evening when solely victory would have sealed the La Liga title on the RCDE Stadium.

Espanyol confirmed their swift counter-attacking skills 4 minutes in when Roberto Fernandez threaded Urko Gonzalez by way of on purpose for the recipient to roll a end narrowly huge.

Visiting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny then made a wonderful save at full stretch to show Javi Puado’s strike behind after the ahead broke clear by way of the center.

Barcelona fixtures 2024/25

There have been spiky scenes between the groups after full-time, however Barca can have a good time at dwelling after they face fifth-placed Villarreal on Sunday (18:00 BST).

Madrid had stored the title race faintly alive by coming from behind to beat Mallorca 2-1 at dwelling on Wednesday by way of Kylian Mbappe’s equaliser and Jacobo Ramon’s Ninety fifth-minute winner.