Hansi Flick’s Barcelona face an enviable problem for the Spanish title this season, with younger star Ramin Yamal shouldering the expectations. The German coach replaces membership legend Xavi Hernandez and welcomed new signing Dani Olmo final week, however final season’s La Liga champions Madrid signed the French Tremendous League star earlier this summer season Famous person Kylian Mbappe. The striker joins Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and different stars in making certain Barcelona begin the brand new season as Actual Madrid’s decided underdogs.
The Catalan giants gained nothing final season and relinquished the Spanish crown in a deeply disappointing marketing campaign, however the emergence of 17-year-old Yamal suggests there may be mild on the finish of the tunnel.
Together with Olympic gold medalist Paul Cubas, financially strapped Barcelona will depend on their younger stars to try to compete with the energy of Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League title.
Many thought Barcelona wanted a left winger and a defensive midfielder to push for trophies, however the membership’s monetary woes made these goals unattainable after Olmo’s arrival.
Flick’s aspect had overwhelmed Madrid in pre-season throughout their tour of america however had been overwhelmed 3-0 by Monaco on Monday within the conventional Joan Gamper Cup ultimate at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium in a pleasant .
“We did not play at a traditional tempo or with a traditional mixture and we conceded quite a lot of targets,” Flick mentioned after the defeat.
“However on the finish of the day, that is preseason. I do know the crew can play higher than we did immediately.
“We now have 5 days to organize for the subsequent sport towards Valencia (Barcelona’s La Liga opener).”
The German coach hopes to alter the membership’s urgent marking sport, however with key ahead Robert Lewandowski about to show 36, there are doubts over whether or not he can obtain this purpose.
Flick was additional hampered by accidents to midfielders Pedri, Garvey and Frenkie de Jong, in addition to centre-back Ronald Araujo, which means he began the brand new season with a depleted squad.
go dwelling
If building work continues as deliberate, Barcelona’s plan to return to the refurbished Camp Nou mid-season will likely be a fine addition to demoralized followers.
Whereas a membership of Barcelona’s measurement all the time goals to compete for trophies, Catalonia’s expectations look like decrease than standard.
Gone are the times when star gamers like Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar gave Barcelona essentially the most formidable attacking line in world soccer.
As an alternative, followers cheered for teenager Yamal towards Monaco, with the largest roar from the Barcelona followers being saved for the second the winger jogged to the touchline to heat up.
Yamal, who made his debut for Barca on the age of 15, was a key determine in Spain’s marketing campaign to win Euro 2024 this season and is at dwelling in elite soccer.
To date, no problem has appeared too daunting for Barcelona academy starlet Yamal, resulting in inevitable comparisons with Lionel Messi.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen takes over the armband as Barcelona captain following the departure of Sergi Roberto after 14 years within the first crew.
“I hope the followers stick with us all yr as a result of we’ve quite a lot of good issues forward of us,” the goalkeeper mentioned after the Monaco defeat.
“We hope (it) was an accident… it is a good warning and we hope in a couple of days we’ll be higher.”
That should be the case if Barcelona are to compete with Madrid this season.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Matters talked about on this article
