Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has accused Spain of mismanaging teenage sensation Lamine Yamal after confirming the winger will miss the club’s Champions League opener against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
The 18-year-old, who has been in superb form this season, remains sidelined with a groin issue sustained on international duty and will stay in Catalunya to continue his rehabilitation.
Yamal also sat out Sunday’s 6-0 win over Valencia, and Barcelona are keen to have him fully fit for this weekend’s LaLiga clash with Getafe.
Flick expressed his frustration with the Spain setup, claiming Yamal was risked unnecessarily during the recent international window.
Lamine Yamal has been in outstanding form for Barcelona this season
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“Lamine went to the national team with pain, didn’t train, and had painkillers to play,” the German coach said before flying to England.
“They were three goals up in every match and he played 79 and 73 minutes.
"Between the matches, he didn’t train. This is not taking care of players.
“Spain have the best team in the world and in every position they are unbelievably good. So I am really sad about this.”
Barcelona were handed a boost with Frenkie de Jong passed fit to travel after shaking off his own groin problem.
The Dutch midfielder returned from international duty nursing the issue but has been cleared to feature at St James’ Park.
However, Flick will still be without several key names.
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Frenkie de Jong has made the trip to England as Barcelona prepare to lock horns with Newcastle
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Alejandro Balde remains out with a hamstring injury, while midfield star Gavi continues his recovery from knee surgery and is not expected back until later in the season.
The Catalan club named their travelling squad on Wednesday morning before departing for England, with De Jong included but no Yamal.
The trip to face Eddie Howe’s side represents Barcelona’s toughest group stage fixture on paper, with Newcastle looking to build on their impressive European form in the 2023/24 season.
Barcelona have made a strong start to the new season domestically.
They've won three of their four LaLiga matches, drawing the other, to sit two points behind Real Madrid at the summit.
Barcelona's season started with a 3-0 win over Mallorca, with that victory then followed up by a 3-2 victory over Levante.
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Barcelona have enjoyed a positive start to the new LaLiga season ahead of their Champions League tie with Newcastle
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At the end of August, however, they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano.
Barcelona bounced back on Sunday, thrashing Valencia 6-0.
Fermin Lopez, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski all bagged braces, with Flick's men managing 24 shots on goal throughout the contest.