Flick not planning change of position for Yamal

Hansi Flick does not believe the way to get the best out of Lamine Yamal is by changing his position, ahead of Barcelona's meeting with Elche in LaLiga.

Yamal endured a quiet outing as Barca were beaten 2-1 by their Clasico rivals Real Madrid last week, a result that moved Los Blancos five points clear at the top of the table.

The Spain superstar has had a frustrating start to the season, having battled a niggling groin injury. He has only scored once in seven games for club and country since the end of August – the goal coming in a 6-1 Champions League rout of Olympiacos.

Carles Rexach – who played 450 games for the Blaugrana between 1965 and 1981 and later had a one-year spell as their head coach – recently suggested Yamal should follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and move infield, to a number 10 position.

But Flick will not make that change just yet, telling reporters: "I think, right now, the way to get back to your best version is in your main position. 

"Yes, in some situations and games, he can manage everything when playing inside. 

"He's fantastic and can play in different positions. For him, the most important thing is to touch the ball a lot because he can create things."

Elche have made a solid start to the campaign, only losing two of their first 10 games to enter the weekend's action eighth in the table.

And Flick has been impressed by their head coach Eder Sarabia and his patient, possession-based approach, saying: "I like how Elche play. They play well as a team, they find solutions. 

"We have to follow the gameplan to put pressure on them as we want to. I liked the last two training sessions, and we got [Dani] Olmo and [Robert] Lewandowski back, even if we lost Pedri."

While Olmo and Lewandowski are available following injury lay-offs, Pedri will miss a significant stretch after suffering a hamstring tear.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Barcelona – Ferran Torres

Torres could make his 100th start in LaLiga here, having made 36 for Valencia and 63 for Barcelona to date.

He has been involved in three goals in his three previous matches against Elche in the competition (two goals and one assist).

Elche – Andre Silva

Silva has scored four of Elche's last seven goals in LaLiga, including two of the four they have netted away from home in the competition this season.