Barcelona started their 2025-26 La Liga campaign with a 3-0 victory away to Mallorca on Saturday, in a match heavily influenced by two red cards for the hosts within six minutes of the first half.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, coach Hansi Flick was far from satisfied. “It’s positive to start with three points, but I can’t say I’m fully happy. With two extra players, we should have controlled the game better and created more chances,” the German coach said after the match.
“We must improve”
Flick was critical of his team’s lack of intensity with the numerical advantage: “I didn’t like the game. After being 2-0 up and with Mallorca down to nine men, we played at 50%. That’s not good enough. We needed to control the ball, play faster, and score more. At 50-60% against nine, it’s impossible. We must improve.”
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Barcelona had already gone two goals up through Raphinha (set up by Yamal) and Ferran Torres before the dismissals. Lamine Yamal later added a third to seal the win. Next week, Barça travel to Levante (Saturday, 21:30), aiming to please their perfectionist coach with a more convincing display.
Before the game, Hans-Dieter Flick insisted Yamal was not at the top of his game yet. “Lamine Yamal is an important part of the team. I’m very happy with what I see. He trains very well, with and without the ball. His pressing is excellent, as we saw against Como (5-0). His progress is clear,” Flick explained.
The German coach stressed Yamal’s huge margin for growth: “He can still improve a lot. I’m 100% sure he’ll have a great season.”
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