Barcelona are preparing for another crucial La Liga night as they aim to keep pace at the top of the table.
Hansi Flick’s side have made a promising start to the season and continue to show signs of steady improvement under his guidance.
Despite several key players missing through injury, the Blaugrana have maintained their intensity and are eager to extend their unbeaten run.
With fixtures coming thick and fast across domestic and European competitions, squad depth has become even more critical for the Catalan giants.
Supporters will be hoping that returning stars can help carry the momentum through what promises to be a challenging autumn schedule.
Yet, as Barca gear up for their sixth league game of the season against Real Oviedo tonight, one notable absentee remains Lamine Yamal.
The teenage sensation has been sidelined with discomfort, forcing him to miss important clashes against Newcastle United and Valencia before again being left out for the Oviedo match.
Earlier this month, an exasperated Hansi Flick publicly criticised Spain manager Luis de la Fuente for the way Lamine Yamal was handled during the international break.
The Barcelona coach said: “He had discomfort, he didn’t train between matches with the national team, and that’s not taking care of the players.”
Flick continued: “He went to the national team with discomfort, didn’t train between matches, played many minutes, 73 and 79, in each match with discomfort.
“That’s not being careful with the players.”
Now, de la Fuente has finally addressed those comments—but not with the fiery response some might have expected.
Asked about Flick’s remarks during a recent event, the Spain boss coolly replied, via Sport, “Today, in my homeland, at this moment, I don’t remember what Flick said, nor do I care.”
By “homeland,” de la Fuente was referring to Logrono, the capital of La Rioja, where he was being honoured by the Riojan Football Federation.
The event saw a room in the federation’s headquarters named after him, complete with a decorative vinyl featuring his image—a celebration that clearly overshadowed any brewing tension between the two managers.
For now, Barcelona must focus on keeping their young star fit while maintaining their league form, as Flick continues to balance domestic ambitions with international frustrations.
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