Hansi Flick hails teenage duo ahead of huge El Clasico clash

Hansi Flick has revealed Barcelona's expectations ahead of Saturday's El Clasico clash with Real Madrid, hoping to look upon players like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi.

Flick will lead Barca in their clash with fierce rivals Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time since he took over from Xavi Hernandez as the club's boss in the summer. He heads into the fixture after a sublime start to the 2024/25 campaign, sitting comfortably atop the La Liga table on 27 points.

The highly-anticipated clash is always bound to bring excitement as Spanish champions Madrid look to reclaim their dominance over the Catalan giants. Los Blancos have won the last four meetings between the rivals and will look to make it five on Saturday evening.

For Flick, the Clasico brings about new territory. He'll hope to rely on players such as teenage wonderkid Yamal - who has enjoyed a strong start to senior life at Barca.

"I always talk to the players," Flick told reporters ahead of Saturday's showdown. "We have a great team and exceptional players like Lamine, he is doing very well, but then you see what Cubarsi is doing at 17 years old and he is also very good. We need everyone at their best, that is the most important thing."

Flick went further in his praise of Cubarsi. "It's great to be able to see how he plays," the German gushed. "It's all down to him, what he's doing, he always has that hunger to improve and train hard. He gives everything for the club and is on an extraordinary path without a doubt."

Fresh from a 4-1 battering of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, Barcelona's boss was keen to avoid any complacency. "In every game we have to adapt to the next game and now it's time to adapt to Real Madrid," he said. "It's like every game, now we play against Madrid and all the players are very prepared, but I trust my players because they are doing great.

"After going a goal down against Bayern we retaliated and went on to win the game and that's a good sign because it means that we believe in ourselves. With more possession and in attack, with and without the ball. We have shown it and we will continue to show it.

"There's a big change here at the club and at Barcelona, and you can feel it, the connection is admirable, the atmosphere last Wednesday was fantastic. That's why we play football and we give everything to win. It's our job and everyone, when you play, you do it for them, for the fans, playing the Clasico is what you want most.

"In Germany there are Clasicos but it's not the same, Barca-Madrid is the Clasico in capital letters."

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