Hansi Flick backs ‘special’ Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or as Barcelona star shatters Kylian Mbappe Champions League record

Flick’s side have now scored 22 goals across their opening five matches of the new campaign, sparking fresh optimism that they can mount a serious challenge for a first Champions League crown since 2015.

The German tactician was particularly pleased with his squad’s relentless pressing, though he was quick to remind his players that the season is a marathon rather than a sprint.

“I like a lot what I see, but also I see situations where we have to improve,” Flick noted. “I am really happy about what my players are doing on the pitch, but you always can improve. There is a long way to the end. I think we are training really hard, really tough. Everyone has this hunger to improve… We need this intensity for our philosophy.”