FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick admitted his team needs Lamine Yamal after the teenager played a crucial role in a much-needed 5-1 win over Mallorca on Tuesday.

Lamine has only just recovered from a muscle strain and Barca have lost three of the four games in which he was not a starter in the 2024/2025 league season.

The last of those defeats came at home to Las Palmas on Saturday, meaning the Catalans have blown a six-point lead that could be reduced to one if bitter rivals Real Madrid win against Athletic Club on Wednesday.

However, victory over the hosts in Son Moix midweek saw Barca regain a four-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Although he was reluctant to talk about his side’s Lionel Messi-like dependence on Lamine, Flick admitted after the game that it “needs” his prodigy, who provided a brilliant assist to Raphinha deep in the second half with a winger more blessed left foot.

“He is very important, he can do a lot for the team, we know his quality and we need him,” said Flick.

“But he wasn’t the only one who played well. I always talk about the central defenders, it’s not always easy with our style of play. Pedri in midfield, Rapha (Raphinha), I’m also very happy for Ferran (Torres), who “Gavi was very good today when he came on, Eric (Garcia) came back and we have more opportunities for changes,” he added German trainers added.

Flick said that it was “important” for Ferran to score while Lewandowski “needed a break”.

“When we needed him he could have been there, but today there was no need to play with him on the pitch. My plan yesterday wasn’t for him to be a substitute, but today I felt like he should rest. Me too.” I thought about giving Raphinha a break, but he’s in very good condition, you saw that.

Raphinha scored a brace and was once again the game’s MVP while also wearing the captain’s armband. And although he admitted that he is in the “best moment” of his career, he stressed that he wants to achieve even more in the Barca shirt.