Spanish teenage superstar Lamine Yamal has pinned Barcelona’s unconvincing start to the 2025/2026 La Liga season down to a lack of adequate intensity in their game play.
Barcelona are defending champions of La Liga this season after sweeping aside competition from the entire division in spectacular fashion.
However, their title defense has gotten off to a shaky start, much to the displeasure of head coach Hansi Flick. The German boss watched his side play out a frustrating 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on MD3 after letting a lead slip in the second half.
This followed a questionable first half performance on matchday two as they initially went two goals behind before fighting back in the second half to earn a late 3-2 victory over Levante.
Flick has been vocal about his displeasure at the current situation and even questioned his side’s togetherness. But Yamal believes he and his teammates just need to increase their intensity and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
“I think it has more to do with the fact that we didn’t start the season with the intensity we had at the end of the previous one than with the egos in the dressing room.
“After a draw, you come out of it hot; in the end, you have to win. We took seven points out of nine on very difficult pitches, something people don’t mention.
“He is right that we made a lot of mistakes, but it can happen. We have to get back to our level as soon as possible.
“We’re hungry for more because we haven’t won four Champions Leagues or four Liga titles in a row; we’re very young. La Liga is very long, so we have to be consistent.”
Yamal is currently away with the Spanish national team on international duty, with World Cup qualifying matches against Bulgaria and Turkey on the horizon.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
