FC Barcelona faces a significant challenge ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, with a key player sidelined due to injury.
The absence of this pivotal figure, who has been a cornerstone of the team’s attacking prowess, forces manager Hansi Flick to reconfigure his strategy for the crucial match.
The news comes as a blow to the Catalan giants, who are already navigating a demanding season across multiple competitions.
The player in question is none other than Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old La Masia prodigy who has become indispensable on the right flank, according to Javi Miguel of AS.
Yamal returned from international duty with Spain, carrying discomfort in his pubis after intense matches against Bulgaria and Turkey.
Despite efforts to recover through gym work this week, the pain persists, ruling him out of Barcelona’s recent La Liga clash against Valencia and now casting serious doubt over his availability for the Newcastle game.
Medical staff, cautious not to aggravate the injury, have deemed it too risky for him to feature.
Flick now faces the task of reshaping his lineup without Yamal’s flair and creativity.
One potential solution is to shift Raphinha to the right and deploy Marcus Rashford on the left, leveraging their versatility.
Alternatively, summer signing Roony Bardghji, newly registered and ready, could seize the opportunity to make his debut, injecting fresh energy into the squad.
The absence of Yamal, however, leaves a noticeable gap, given his consistent impact last season.
Compounding Barcelona’s challenges, Frenkie de Jong will also miss the Valencia match but is expected to return for Newcastle, having resumed group training.
Marc Bernal has received medical clearance after a year out, offering some relief.
However, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain unavailable, further testing the squad’s depth.
As Barcelona prepares to face a formidable Newcastle side, Flick’s tactical adjustments will be critical to overcoming this setback and securing a strong start in the Champions League.
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