Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is set to miss a second consecutive match as he recovers from an ankle injury. Manager Hansi Flick has called on the remaining squad members to elevate their performance in his absence during the upcoming La Liga encounter against Celta Vigo this weekend.
The 17-year-old was absent during the 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad, which ended Barcelona’s impressive seven-match winning streak across all competitions two weeks prior. Flick emphasized his players’ need to demonstrate their ability to secure victories without their young star.
“Tomorrow, I will pose the question to the team, as it will be a significant inquiry for them regarding their ability to secure a victory without Yamal,” Flick stated during a press conference on Friday.
In the match against Real Sociedad, the team’s performance could have been better, and it cannot be attributed to Lamine’s absence. While he is a crucial player for the team, there are alternative strategies that can be effectively employed in his absence.
“He will not participate in tomorrow’s game, and the timeline for his return from injury remains uncertain. However, it is evident that the priority is for him to return only when he has fully recovered.”
Yamal was instrumental in Spain‘s triumph at the European Championships held earlier this year in Germany, securing both the best goal and the Young Player of the Tournament awards during his remarkable debut season.
This season, he has maintained his impressive form, contributing five goals and seven assists, propelling Barcelona to the summit of the La Liga standings with 33 points. They hold a six-point lead over rivals Real Madrid, who sit in second place with a game in hand.
Flick indicated that adjustments to his system might be necessary, given the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for a player with a unique speed, technique, and finishing ability.
“The absence of Lamine (Yamal) may pose some limitations for us,” Flick stated.
“We possess numerous players of exceptional quality who are capable of performing in various positions.” The following steps involve assessing our requirements and formulating a strategic plan for the game ahead.
Following an international break, teams must return with renewed strength and confidence. The objective set for tomorrow is clear.
Atletico Madrid, currently sitting in third place and trailing Real by a single point, will welcome the struggling Alaves to their home ground this Saturday.
