Lamine Yamal looks unlikely to feature against Newcastle United, much to the frustration of Barcelona manager Hansi Flick.
The two sides meet at St James’ Park on Thursday night, as they get their Champions League campaigns underway. However, Barcelona’s superstar teenager is not expected to be involved.
It has been reported that Yamal is set to miss the Newcastle game through injury, and it is an injury that has proven to be rather controversial in Spain.
The 18-year-old played twice for Spain during the international break despite having a groin problem. The Spanish FA then suggested that Yamal’s injury was his back.
Lamine Yamal warms up ahead of Spain's World Cup qualifier against Turkey.
Photo by Mehmet Ali Ozcan/Anadolu via Getty Images
Hansi Flick is furious with the Lamine Yamal injury situation
Yamal was not fit enough to face Valencia on Sunday, and now looks poised to miss the Champions League opener at St James’ Park.
It is a hugely frustrating situation for Hansi Flick, with Spanish outlet Sport providing new details on how the Barcelona boss has privately reacted to Yamal’s injury.
Journalist Alfredo Martinez was in attendance for the press conference when Flick first spoke about Yamal’s injury, and has now provided further details on what the 60-year-old said after it had ended.
“Right after the press conference, Flick wondered if he’d been too forceful and asked those close to him: ‘Hey, was I too harsh?’,” Martinez said.
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“‘No, no, no,’ they replied. ‘We think that was the message that needed to be sent’.
“Flick’s immediate reflection was: ‘We’re talking about an 18-year-old kid, we can’t put the responsibility on an 18-year-old. Lamine wants to play everything, he doesn’t know his body perfectly yet, he’s got the Ballon d’Or after him, it’s an international match… and of course, he probably won’t put the handbrake on’.”
One winger misses out, one returns for Newcastle United vs Barcelona
While Barcelona look set to be without Yamal, Newcastle United are set to welcome their superstar winger back into the fold.
Anthony Gordon is suspended domestically for one more game, but is available to feature in the Champions League on Thursday night.
That is a huge boost for Eddie Howe, who desperately needs the 24-year-old’s direct running and pace against the La Liga champions.
Gordon should start against Barcelona, with Harvey Barnes poised to drop to the bench. The former Leicester City star has not enjoyed the strongest of starts to the season, and this is a game that is much more suited to Newcastle’s number 10.
With Yamal absent, Gordon has the chance to be the winger that everybody is talking about after Thursday.