Barcelona have been balancing their league and European commitments while managing a squad that has already seen a number of injury setbacks.
Fans have been closely following the progress of key young talents, eager to see how La Masia graduates continue to shape the first team.
The Catalans’ Champions League campaign kicks off tonight, making every training session and recovery effort crucial as Hansi Flick looks to field his strongest XI.
Squad rotation has been essential so far, with several players being carefully monitored to avoid long-term absences.
Meanwhile, the return of internationals has added extra pressure on the coaching staff to reintegrate players while keeping their fitness levels in check.
The main story revolves around Barcelona’s rising superstar, Lamine Yamal, who missed last weekend’s La Liga game against Valencia due to discomfort following the international break.
The 18-year-old was also absent from the squad list for tonight’s clash against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, remaining in Barcelona to focus on his recovery.
According to SPORT, Lamine Yamal has intensified his rehabilitation programme, spending the entire morning at the Ciutat Esportiva working on specific gym exercises under the supervision of club physiotherapists and Thiago Alcantara, who is part of Hansi Flick’s staff but not travelling with the squad.
Yamal arrived at around 11:00 and remained inside for nearly four hours—a marathon session compared to the usual shorter recovery routines—demonstrating the La Masia graduate’s determination to return to the pitch as soon as possible.
Reports suggest that Barcelona aim to have Yamal available for the La Liga clash against Real Oviedo on 25 September, though his participation is not yet guaranteed.
The coaching staff is targeting a fully fit Yamal for the high-profile Champions League match against PSG on 1 October, hoping the Ballon d’Or candidate can make an impact in Europe’s premier competition.
Other injury concerns at the club include Alejandro Balde and Gavi, both continuing their recovery programmes.
Gavi’s situation is particularly notable, with Barcelona set to decide soon whether to maintain conservative treatment or proceed with surgery.
The careful management of these players highlights Barcelona’s commitment to returning their stars to full fitness while maintaining competitiveness across all competitions.
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