Lamine Yamal set to be sidlined for two weeks after playing through pain barrier on international duty

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has slammed Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal after confirming the winger will miss his side’s La Liga clash with Valencia at Camp Nou on Sunday. The German says Spain were aware that Yamal was already nursing an injury before deciding to start the teenager in both their World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey this week.

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo revealed earlier on Saturday that Yamal had pulled out of training ahead of the Valencia game due to experiencing physical discomfort. While Barcelona are also yet to confirm the exact nature of Yamal’s complaint, MD added that the 18-year-old was struggling with a back problem before linking up with Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad.

Flick could not hide his anger as he confirmed Yamal will miss the clash, particularly taking aim at how long the forward remained on the pitch for in Spain’s victories over Bulgaria and Turkey.

As quoted by Spanish reporter Alfredo Martinez, a furious Flick told the media on Saturday afternoon: “Lamine Yamal will not be available for tomorrow, it’s a shame.

“He played with the [Spain] national team in pain. He had issues, played 79 and 73 minutes [against Bulgaria and Turkey respectively], and didn’t train between matches because of this pain, and that is not caring for the players.”

With Yamal set to miss the Valencia game, Marcus Rashford could be handed a start in his place. The England international, 27, is still searching for his first competitive goal for Barcelona following his season-long loan move from Manchester United in the summer.

Source: goal