“That’s part of the game” - Barcelona boss Hansi Flick clears the air amid rumors of Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski discontent following UCL win

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has diffused discontent rumors among forwards Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. The duo were visibly upset after being substituted in the UEFA Champions League match at Camp Nou on Tuesday (October 1).

Flick's Barcelona hammered Swiss side Young Boys 5-0 to open their account in this season's Champions League. Lewandowski opened the scoring in the eighth minute while Raphinha and Inigo Martinez also found the net in the first half.

The Polish striker scored again in the second half before being substituted alongside Lamine Yamal fifteen minutes from time. Both players were bemused by the manager's decision on being benched.

Lewandowski was on a hat-trick while the teenage sensation was looking for his first goal of the match.

When asked about the duo's reaction after the match, Flick accepted that they were well within their rights to want to play more but clarified that he has to manage the entire squad and not just one or two players.

"That [substitution] is part of the game. We don’t have just one player but many. There are many games and he [Lamine Yamal] has had many minutes. After playing, a change can be made," Flick said of the 17-year-old youngster (via Football Espana).

"With Robert Lewandowski. I have done the same. I’m sure he wanted to play more, but that’s it. We can’t take into account whether a player wants to continue playing or not," he added.

After the substitutions, Barcelona scored for the fifth time, this time through Young Boys defender Mohamed Ali Camara putting the ball in his own goal.

"Lamine Yamal does not need a rest" - Barcelona manager Flick

Lamine Yamal has started all eight of Barcelona's matches across all competitions this season. He had a busy summer as well, playing all matches in Spain's victorious 2024 Euros campaign where he had nine goal involvements.

The 17-year-old has played 75 minutes or more in each match for the Blaugrana this season. Ahead of last week's La Liga match against Getafe, Flick was questioned about player welfare and protecting Yamal from burnout.

Flick dismissed the suggestion and said that Yamal doesn't need rest, clarifying that the decision is backed by data science.

"We have all the data from the players and at the moment it's not like that, that he needs a rest. At the moment, everything is fine. He feels good," the former Bayern Munich manager said (via ESPN).

Hansi Flick has made a good start to life at Barcelona, winning all but two matches so far. Barca have a three-point lead in La Liga courtesy of seven wins in eight matches.