Hansi Flick used Barcelona’s comfortable 3-0 win over RCD Mallorca to underline the club’s long-standing belief in youth development, as La Masia products once again took centre stage at Spotify Camp Nou.
Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Marc Bernal ensured a convincing night for Barca, although Flick admitted the performance only hit the required tempo after the break.
While the first half lacked sharpness, the second half showed the intensity and fluidity the German coach wants to see from his side.
“I wasn’t happy with the first half, with the level we showed,” Flick said. “We had to improve in certain situations. The second half is how we want Barca to play.”
As the match gathered momentum, the spotlight shifted to the younger faces in the squad.
Bernal marked the occasion with his first senior goal for the club, while Tommy Marques made his long-awaited first-team debut: moments the gaffer sees as a natural extension of Barcelona’s footballing identity.
“Relying on La Masia is good for the club. It’s how we do things. We’re also very happy about Tommy’s debut. He has a lot of confidence on the ball and knows what he’s doing. I like what I see from him in training, and he can play in several positions.”
Bernal’s strike was celebrated warmly by the bench and supporters alike, with Flick stressing the importance of squad depth as fixtures begin to pile up.
“We celebrated Bernal’s goal a lot. He did very well and also managed to score. Now we have many matches coming up and it’s important that all the players are involved.”
With results clicking and young talent stepping up, Barcelona’s blend of experience and academy trust continues to define Flick’s vision as the season gathers pace.
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