FC Barcelona Faces Uncertainty Surrounding Lamine Yamal’s Fitness, Potentially Missing Champions League Opener Against Newcastle United

FC Barcelona remains uncertain about the physical condition of Lamine Yamal, who may miss the Champions League debut against Newcastle United this Thursday in England. The young Culés talent was unable to play in the league match against Valencia and did not train with the team on Monday at the Ciutat Esportiva.

Lamine Yamal Carries Discomfort from Spain Duty

The situation with the academy product is not new. The Barcelona forward joined the Spanish national team camp with pubis discomfort but was still used by Luis de la Fuente in matches against Bulgaria and Turkey. To play, the player even required painkiller injections, a fact Hansi Flick publicly confirmed during the press conference before the Valencia match.

As a result, Yamal returned to Barcelona injured and with back pain. Since then, he has been unable to train normally with his teammates and is following a specific recovery plan to try to be ready for the match in England. However, at this stage, barring a miracle, he is not expected to feature against Newcastle.

Barcelona’s Frustration with Yamal’s Management

According to Mundo Deportivo, there is some frustration within Barcelona regarding how Yamal was managed during the recent international break. Despite his physical issues, Luis de la Fuente played him in both international matches, downplaying the severity of the problem. The national team coach stated that “no player had significant discomfort,” though the facts seem to contradict this claim.

The club’s discontent grew further after Yamal’s return. Despite being injured, he participated in a four-hour promotional shoot for the brand that supplies his boots. The shoot took place at Nou Sardenya Stadium, home of CE Europa, and involved several actions with the ball, causing unease among Barcelona’s coaching staff and medical team.

Frenkie de Jong, a Positive Note for Barça

The good news for Hansi Flick is the return of Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch midfielder left the Netherlands national team camp early, released by Ronald Koeman due to physical discomfort. After missing the league match against Valencia, De Jong trained at full pace with his teammates on Monday and is expected to be available for the Champions League opener against Newcastle.

The midfielder’s return is crucial for Barcelona, which needs to strengthen its midfield control in a challenging venue like St. James’ Park.

Flick Unwilling to Take Risks with Lamine Yamal

Beyond Frenkie de Jong’s progress, all eyes at the Ciutat Esportiva remain on Lamine Yamal. The young winger is one of the great hopes of the Barça fanbase, but the club is keen to avoid unnecessary risks. According to internal sources, Hansi Flick prefers to wait until the player is 100% recovered before rushing him back.