Flick Furious With Spain NT As Lamine Yamal Misses Barcelona Vs Valencia

‎Barcelona will be without Lamine Yamal for Sunday’s La Liga clash with Valencia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, after the 18-year-old winger was reported to be struggling with an injury.

‎During the international break, Yamal picked up a back issue in Spain’s win over Bulgaria.

‎Although it was not seen as a major problem, he played a few days later in the rout of Türkiye, which had led Barcelona officials to hope the issue had been resolved.

‎However, Marca has reported that Yamal did not participate in Barcelona’s training session on Saturday, suggesting the injury could still be affecting him.

‎“No, he won’t be available for tomorrow,” said Flick.

‎The Barcelona manager then hit out at the Spanish national team for their management of the youngster as he was forced to play in both their games during the international break despite dealing with discomfort.

‎“He played for the national team despite discomfort. He played 75-78 minutes with discomfort and without training between matches. And that’s not looking after the players,” he said.

‎“I think the Spanish national team has a great squad, the best players in the world, but they haven’t looked after their players and that’s news that saddens me.”

‎On whether he had spoken to Spain manager Luis de la Fuente about Lamine’s situation, Flick replied:

‎“I’ve never spoken to him, just texted, but I’ve never spoken to him. My Spanish isn’t very good, nor is his English, but at the end of the day, communication could be better; we don’t just have one player, we have more.

‎“I’ve been in that situation too, but communication with the club has to be good, and it has to be good.”

‎Later on in the press conference, Barcelona’s press officer, Gabriel Martinez, stated that Lamine is a doubt for next week’s UEFA Champions League clash against Newcastle United.

‎“Yes, discomfort in his pubic bone. He has been tested. He won’t be available for tomorrow and is doubtful for Newcastle,” he said.

‎It would almost certainly mean that Marcus Rashford or Robert Lewandowski would return to the starting XI.

‎Another option is summer signing Roony Bardghji, though he may not be risked from the outset due to limited minutes in recent weeks.