Lamine Yamal’s likely absence through injury is not the only ‘dilemma’ Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is facing ahead of Thursday’s clash with Newcastle United in the Champions League.
That’s according to Sport, who say the Barcelona coach has 72 hours to solve ‘the pivot dilemma’ in the middle of his midfield.
The newspaper reports that Flick has to ‘clear up the doubts’ he has about his starting line up for the game against Newcastle, which has been greatly affected by the physical problems currently being suffered by his key players.
Yamal is very likely to be out and that is a major issue on its own, but Gavi is also being wrapped in cotton wool due to a persistent discomfort in his knee. Marc Bernal’s return is also being done gradually.
Then there is Frenkie de Jong. He returned from the international break with a muscle discomfort in his right leg. That injury has been bothering him at the start of the campaign, and he only returned to training with the group on Monday.
Pedri and De Jong are the starting duo in Barcelona’s midfield but there is also Marc Casadó to consider. Flick has ‘complete confidence’ in him also. Pedro and Casado recently ‘dazzled’ in a big win over Valencia at the weekend.
The ‘dilemma’ comes from who the Barcelona manager picks to partner Pedri against Newcastle. He has to decide whether to keep Casado in the team or bank on De Jong to return from injury fully. That’s something he has to assess in the next 72 hours, while also deciding how to cover the likely absence of Yamal.