Flick confirms Lamine's absence and lashes out at the Spanish

Hansi Flick has raised alarms at Fútbol Club Barcelona by confirming this Saturday that Lamine Yamal will not be available for the LaLiga match against Valencia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

The German coach explained that the Rocafonda winger is suffering from groin discomfort that will prevent him from being included in the squad, a piece of news that represents a tough setback for the Culé team just hours before the match.

The absence of the Azulgrana youth player comes after he participated with the Spanish national team in recent international commitments, accumulating more than 160 minutes of play in just four days. Flick did not hesitate to point the finger at the Federation for what he considers a mismanagement of the competitive load of a footballer who is only 18 years old.

Direct criticism from Hansi Flick to the management of the Spanish National Team

In the press conference prior to the league match, Flick expressed his discomfort: “It is not logical that such a young boy has to play so many minutes in such a short time. We are talking about an extraordinary talent, but he needs protection. Spain's management has not been correct.”

The coach recalled that Barça had warned about the need to dose the player after a season of enormous demands. Despite this, Luis de la Fuente lined up Yamal as a starter in both qualifying matches, completing practically the 90 minutes.

A blow for Barça before a key match

The absence of Lamine Yamal is an added problem for Barça, who face the match against Valencia with several absences in attack. The offensive responsibility will fall on names like Ferran Torres, Raphinha or the young Roony Bardghji, while the club remains attentive to the evolution of other injured players.

Flick himself admitted that the situation is “difficult to manage” and asked for greater understanding between clubs and national teams to prevent young promises from being exposed to long-term injuries.

The importance of Lamine Yamal in the team

Since his emergence in the first team, Yamal has become a differential player. In the 2024/25 season, he was the top assistant for the Culé team, and at the start of the current season, he had already scored two goals and three assists in the first few matchdays of LaLiga. His absence leaves an evident void on the right wing, where his overflow and ability to generate danger are irreplaceable.

Flick's concern is also understood due to the history of injuries related to overloads in footballers of his age. The coach insisted that Barça cannot afford to lose one of its most valuable pieces due to inadequate external management.

Immediate schedule of Barça

After the match against Valencia, the Azulgrana team will face a decisive week with their debut in the Champions League against Newcastle at St. James’ Park. Yamal's evolution will determine whether he will be available in that match or whether he will have to prolong his absence.

Barça remains immersed in a schedule full of commitments, with matches every three days between LaLiga and the Champions League, which increases the coaching staff's concern for the physical condition of their squad.

The debate on the protection of young people

The case of Lamine Yamal reopens a recurring debate in Spanish football: how to protect early talents from overexposure? At Barça, it is insisted that the priority must be the well-being of the player, beyond the immediate interests of national teams or competitions. Flick was forceful in closing the press conference:

“We have to think about his long-term career. Lamine is a special player, but if he is not taken care of, he may pay too high a price.”

Yamal's absence against Valencia leaves Barça without one of its offensive references and once again puts on the table the need to better coordinate efforts between clubs and federations.

The priority, as Flick repeated, must be the health of the player. Meanwhile, the Culé fans await his return with the hope that the discomfort will not become a major problem.

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