Flick Uncertain About Yamal’s Return Ahead of Clásico Showdown

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Faces Uncertain Return Ahead of Crucial Clásico

Barcelona’s Injury Woes: Yamal’s Fitness in Question

Barcelona, Spain — As the first Clásico of the season approaches, Barcelona faces uncertainty regarding the fitness of young forward Lamine Yamal. Head coach Hansi Flick revealed the complexity of Yamal’s groin injury, which might prevent him from participating in the high-stakes match against Real Madrid later this month.

Yamal, 18, made a comeback as a substitute in the recent win over Real Sociedad but experienced a setback after playing the full 90 minutes in the loss to Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona has stated that his recovery could take up to three weeks, sidelining him for the upcoming match against Sevilla and ruling him out of Spain’s international break engagements.

Flick Discusses Recovery Strategy for Lamine Yamal

During a recent news conference, Flick emphasized the unpredictability of Yamal’s recovery timeline. “It’s better, but it’s not good,” Flick stated. “With this injury, it’s not so easy to know when he will return. We must manage his load and proceed step by step, working closely with the recovery team.”

National Team Controversy and Injury Setbacks

This situation follows a previous groin injury Yamal sustained while on duty with Spain in September, which sparked tensions between Flick and Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente. Despite the initial call-up for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Yamal was withdrawn from the squad following his injury relapse, prompting a response from de la Fuente, who was “surprised” by Flick’s critique.

Flick defended his stance, saying, “I want to protect my player. I don’t regret expressing my concerns; it’s essential for clubs, players, and the Spanish Federation to manage this together.”

Marc Bernal’s Return Sparks Club vs. Country Debate

Amid Yamal’s recovery, midfielder Marc Bernal also finds himself at the center of a club-versus-country dispute. Returning from an ACL injury that sidelined him for over a year, Bernal was called up to Spain’s under-21 squad after limited playing time with Barcelona.

Flick expressed reservations about Bernal’s readiness for extended play, suggesting that his inclusion in the national squad was premature. “He came from a major injury. We must take care of him,” Flick commented. Subsequently, Spain decided to replace Bernal with Wolves’ Fer López for the upcoming matches against Norway and Finland.

Barcelona’s Challenge: Managing Injuries Ahead of Sevilla Clash

As Barcelona prepares for their domestic face-off against Sevilla, they must navigate a growing list of injuries. In addition to Yamal, key players like Marc-André ter Stegen, Joan García, Gavi, Fermín López, and Raphinha will be absent from the lineup, posing a challenge for Flick as he aims to maintain Barcelona’s LaLiga leadership.