Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has fumed after Lamine Yamal suffered an injury in the build-up to their Champions League trip to Newcastle United on Thursday.
The Spanish champions head to St James’ Park on Thursday in a blockbuster fixture on Tyneside.
Newcastle have beaten Barcelona in the Champions League before and a repeat of that would be most welcome for Eddie Howe’s side.
No matter the result, it’s likely to be played in front of a wild atmosphere, something approaching the levels seen when Newcastle beat Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 in 2023.
Barca are a formidable opponent but could be without their star player in the form of Yamal.
The teenage sensation will not play for Barca against Valencia on Sunday night and is seemingly considered a doubt for Thursday’s Champions League trip to Tyneside.
Flick is not happy.
Hansi Flick speaks on Lamine Yamal injury
The German was speaking ahead of his side’s game against Valencia on Sunday.
He was unhappy that the Spanish international team played the 18-year-old so much over the international break after a recent knock.
A groin injury has ruled him out of the Valencia clash and could keep him out of Thursday’s huge game.
Speaking at a press conference, Flick said (via BBC Sport): “Lamine will not be available [against Valencia] – it’s a pity,” said Flick.
“He played with the national team despite pain.
“He had problems, played 79 and 73 minutes, and didn’t even train between matches because of this pain. That is not really taking care of the players, is it? It is not.
“Spain, they have the best team in the world, best players in the world. In every position they are unbelievably good.
“So, maybe they will also want to take care of our players, our young players, but it’s like they are doing this [to them]. This is what I can say and I’m really sad about this.”
Barcelona’s record without Lamine Yamal
Of the three La Liga games Yamal missed last season, Barca didn’t win any of them.
Clearly, they have a huge amount of talent in their squad but any team in the world would miss a player of the teenager’s supreme quality.
Though it would be brilliant to see a world star like Yamal play against Newcastle, him missing the game would no doubt mean a slightly easier evening for Howe’s full-backs.
Yamal is an amazing talent and Barcelona would be weaker without having him available to play.
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