Newcastle United host Barcelona at St James' Park in the Champions League on Thursday night - but the Catalan club now have a major injury issue to contend with
Lamine Yamal warms up before a World Cup qualifier for Spain
Lamine Yamal played twice for Spain during the international break
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that Lamine Yamal will not play against Valencia this weekend and is a doubt to face Newcastle United in the Champions League on Thursday.
Despite playing in both of Spain's World Cup qualifiers during the international break, the teenager has not trained since returning to the Catalan club. Flick also claims that Yamal did not train in between those two matches.
They played Bulgaria in Sofia on Thursday, with the forward assisting their third goal of the game seven minutes before half-time. However, despite leading 3-0, Yamal was not substituted until the 79th minute.
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Spain then travelled to Turkiye, with the winger assisting their fourth and fifth goals in the game before the hour mark. Pedri made it 6-0 soon after, but Yamal remained on until the 73rd minute.
During a news conference on Saturday afternoon, Flick addressed the player's availability. "It's a pity because he goes to the national team with some pain. He did not train with the national team; he took painkillers to play," the Barca boss revealed.
"They scored three [or more] goals in every match. After the Bulgaria game, in between matches, he did not train again; this is not taking care of the players.
"Spain have the best team in the world. The best players in every position, unbelievably good. Maybe when we talk about taking care of young players, it's things like that. I'm really sad about this [situation]."
Frenkie De Jong will also not play against Valencia after sustaining a slight injury in his right leg while playing for the Netherlands that forced him off in the 83rd minute of their 1-1 draw with Poland. Alejandro Balde and Gavi remain sidelined; however, Marc Bernal is back in the matchday squad for the first time since August last year.
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