Flick calls up Rodri and Balde for Athletic Club clash in LaLiga matchday 2

Name by name, that's how Hansi Flick handed in his squad list for Thursday's match against Athletic Club, corresponding to matchday 2 of LaLiga. Two names stood out: Rodri and Alejandro Balde will both be included, something the German coach made sure to confirm ahead of the game.

Balde's case comes with some backstory. The fullback had been left out of the squad for the league opener against Elche, right as rumors about his future were swirling. Flick didn't rule out a starting role for him, but he didn't guarantee it either: "We'll see if he plays, but he'll be with us. I've talked to him, the important thing is that he's 100 percent committed to us and to his situation."

The coach also took the chance to discuss the development of a player who, it's worth remembering, is still just 22 years old and came up through La Masia. "He's very young, he's 22 with enormous potential, but now is the time to keep improving. He comes from La Masia and had a fantastic first season, but he needs to keep working hard and getting better," Flick explained, before going further with a message that sounds like a general warning for the club's academy products: "Every year 3 or 4 players come up from La Masia, they have to be 100 percent committed and understand that this is professional soccer, that they're playing for Barca and that they have to give their best."

Rodri, with minutes guaranteed

The plan for Rodri is more straightforward: he'll get playing time. "The plan is for Rodri to get minutes," the coach confirmed, without beating around the bush. After a preseason that was far from ideal, his inclusion in the squad for the Athletic Club match is good news for a Barcelona side that already needs to rotate its lineup this early in the season, in just the second matchday.

Lamine Yamal's discomfort

Flick also addressed why Lamine Yamal was substituted during the league opener against Elche. According to him, it was nothing serious: "He had a small issue, he had a headache. Lamine is a genius, it's normal. He had three weeks of vacation and has only trained for a few days. It's normal that he's not at his best level yet."

The coach put the winger's performance into context, noting that he was involved in the team's first two goals before leaving the field: "We need to find a solution so he can reach his best level, but I really value his 60 minutes, he was involved in the first two goals. He helped us and he's doing well. We'll see how he progresses, but we need him because he's exceptional."

With a laugh, Flick admitted he isn't entirely sure how Yamal will react if he's substituted again in upcoming matches, though he highlighted the youngster's competitive hunger with a specific goal in mind: winning a third straight league title. "When you're a champion, a real one, you're always looking to win the next title. That's his attitude. Every player on this team is hungry to win a third consecutive league title. We're ready and we'll fight for it," the German coach concluded.