FC Barcelona hosts Paris Saint-Germain this Wednesday, for the first time since last August 31, with Lamine Yamal in condition to start. The '10' azulgrana missed the matches against Valencia, Getafe, Oviedo and the debut in the Champions League against Newcastle due to pubalgia, but reappeared on Sunday against Real Sociedad.
Hansi Flick put him in the 57th minute in place of Roony Bardghji and, in less than two minutes, gave the assist with which Barça overcame the initial goal of Álvaro Odriozola for the Donostiarras. Robert Lewandowski, with a header, took advantage of the cross from the right by the Mataró native to give the azulgrana team an advantage that they would not lose in the rest of the match.
Flick will have Lamine Yamal in the starting XI against PSG, but with caution
After the match, Flick was satisfied with Lamine's performance in his reappearance with Barça, after three weeks in the infirmary due to discomfort in the pubis. "I am happy for his return. We all are. He has quickly shown that he is exceptional. It is very good to have him back", said the German coach.
In 33 minutes, Yamal completed 18 of 23 passes (78%), with three successful dribbles, one chance created and five duels won, in addition to causing a couple of fouls. With his entry, the winger destabilized a 'txuri urdin' defense that, until that moment, had managed to sustain the tie thanks to the saves of Álex Remiro.
Given what was seen on Sunday, it is clear that Lamine is already in condition to return to the starting XI against what will be the most powerful rival for the culés in the Champions League group stage, PSG. However, it is very likely that the Rocafonda native, as a precaution, will not play the entire match, since he has not yet 100% overcome the discomfort in the pubis.
In the European debut against Newcastle, Raphinha took his place on the right. On Wednesday, the Brazilian is ruled out due to an injury to his right thigh, while Roony and Ferran Torres will wait for their opportunity on the bench.
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Barça awaits Lamine Yamal's next call-up with Spain
In that sense, Barça is attentive to the call-up of Luis de la Fuente for the matches against Georgia (10/11) and Bulgaria (10/14), in Elche and Valladolid respectively. Although the double day of World Cup qualifying does not imply a long trip, the club hopes that the '10' can rest during the next break.
However, Hansi Flick was blunt when referring to the issue in the preview of the match against Real Sociedad. "It is not my job, it is the coach's job. It is his thing. If he calls him, it is his decision", he said regarding a new international call-up for the Mataró native.
Lamine traveled with muscle discomfort to the previous break for the matches against Bulgaria (0-3) and Turkey (0-6). Despite this, De la Fuente put him as a starter in both matches, accumulating 152 minutes of action. After his return to Barcelona, he suffered the pubalgia that kept him out for the last three weeks.
Thus, the decision is in the hands of the technical staff of La Roja and, ultimately, of the player. If Spain calls him up and Yamal feels well physically, he will go again with the National Team. In any case, everything will depend on his performance in the next matches with the culés, against PSG and Sevilla.
| MP | G | A | YC | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1.682 |
- MP: matches played
- G: goals
- A: assists
- YC: yellow cards
- MIN: minutes