Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has expressed concern over Lamine Yamal’s groin injury, suggesting the young winger’s return to the pitch might take longer than initially expected.
While the Spanish champions had earlier announced that Yamal would be sidelined for two to three weeks, Flick revealed that the recovery process could extend beyond that period. The 18-year-old will miss Spain’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers and is targeting a return ahead of the Clasico clash against Real Madrid on October 26.
“This injury is not so easy, like a muscle (injury), we have this experience with (those), the coaches, the therapists,” Flick said.
“With this kind of injury, it’s not easy to say now, okay, he can play in two weeks, in three weeks or four weeks, so he’s able to play in the Clasico — this is not possible. We have to wait… we have to manage his (work) load. He will train with our recovery team, so for the next weeks he is with them, we have to go step by step and have to see how his evolution is.”
Yamal first picked up the injury while on international duty with Spain in September, missing four matches before returning last week. However, he aggravated the injury during Barcelona’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Despite the setback, Flick said Yamal’s condition had improved slightly.
“I spoke with him today and it’s much better than before, but it’s not good,” the coach said ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga game against Sevilla.
Flick also took a swipe at Spain coach Luis de la Fuente for allowing Yamal to play against Bulgaria and Turkey under pain-killing injections. De la Fuente responded by urging Flick to show more “empathy,” but the German tactician stood firm.
“I don’t regret this, I want to protect my players,” Flick said.
“It’s done now, for me it’s over, we have to look forwards… the important thing is that we manage this together, the clubs and the federation.”
What you should know
Lamine Yamal, an 18-year-old Spanish winger for Barcelona, is regarded as one of football’s brightest young talents.
Despite being named the second-best player in the world at the Ballon d’Or gala, his recurring groin injury threatens to keep him out of action for a crucial period, including the much-anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid.
