Why Was Lamine Yamal Not In The Starting XI Against Athletic In The Spanish Super Cup?

Alarms went off before kick-off, and once the lineups were announced, the answer became clear. Barcelona opted for caution.

Barcelona’s decision ahead of the semi-final

The FC Barcelona put an end to all speculation once the official lineups were released: Lamine Yamal began the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club on the bench.

The decision was neither disciplinary nor a shift in hierarchy. Instead, it was a technical and physical management call after a week in which the winger’s condition was closely monitored. The coaching staff felt it was not the ideal scenario to demand full intensity from him from the opening whistle.

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The absence that shaped the game plan

Doubts first emerged the day before the match, when Lamine Yamal did not take part in the final full training session. In a competition like the Super Cup, any absence immediately draws attention—especially when it involves one of the team’s most influential attacking players.

From the club’s perspective, however, the message was consistent from the start: avoid unnecessary risks and make a decision with the full 90 minutes in mind, not just the opening phase of the match.

Lamine Yamal during a training session with FC Barcelona.

What really happened to Lamine

The reason behind his absence was a stomach virus he had been dealing with for several days, which left him somewhat weakened. As a precaution, the coaching staff opted to reduce his workload and avoid unnecessary risks ahead of the match.

During that period, the player followed specific recovery sessions and gym-based work, aimed at maintaining fitness without placing excessive strain on his body. Those close to the club insist his progress has been positive and that his condition improved significantly in the hours leading up to kick-off.

A key option off the bench

This is not the first time Barcelona have taken such an approach with Lamine Yamal. Throughout the season, the club has prioritized his long-term health and impact, even in high-profile matches.

As the game unfolds, the winger remains a difference-maker from the bench, particularly when spaces open up and the tempo shifts. The message is clear: he may not have started, but he remains a central part of the plan.

In the Super Cup, matches are decided over 90 minutes… and sometimes from the bench.