Barcelona vs Valencia: Lamine Yamal Injured, Deco Protests Spain's Handling
The Barcelona vs. Valencia match saw Barcelona missing a key player: Lamine Yamal. The young star's absence is due to a pubic bone issue, sparking controversy regarding the Spanish national team's management of his playing time during the recent international break.
Yamal's Injury and Barcelona's Concerns
Hansi Flick, Barcelona's coach, initially raised concerns about Yamal's fitness after he returned from international duty with Spain. Deco, Barcelona's sporting director, has now publicly supported Flick's sentiments, criticizing the Spanish national team for seemingly overplaying Yamal despite his existing discomfort.
"We agree with what the coach said, because Lamine Yamal is an important player for both us and the national team. We all need to be a little more careful," Deco stated, emphasizing the need for better communication and protocols between clubs and national teams.
Yamal played significant minutes in Spain's World Cup qualifying matches against Bulgaria and Turkey, despite reportedly experiencing back pain. Barcelona's coaching staff believes he was not adequately rested or managed, leading to his current injury.
New Faces in the Squad
Despite the setback of Yamal's injury, the Barcelona squad also saw the inclusion of new faces. Marc Bernal returned after a long injury layoff, and Roony Bardghji, a summer signing, was in line for his debut. Bardghji's chances of playing increased due to Yamal's absence, potentially competing with Ferran Torres or Raphinha for a spot on the right wing.
Flick's Squad for Valencia
The full squad list for the Valencia match included:
- Goalkeepers: Joan García, Szczesny
- Defenders: Koundé, Eric, Araújo, Cubarsí, Christensen, Gerard Martín
- Midfielders: Casadó, Bernal, Fermín, Pedri, Olmo
- Forwards: Raphinha, Lewandowski, Rashford, Ferran, Bardghji, Jofre, Kochen, Toni Fernández
Barcelona is also missing Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde, and Gavi due to injuries. De Jong is expected to return for their Champions League match against Newcastle.
Deco Calls for Better Communication
Deco stressed the importance of improving communication and coordination between clubs and national teams to prevent player burnout and injuries. "Players are subjected to too many burdens and there are many things that need to be adjusted," he added.
Barcelona hopes to bounce back from Yamal's injury and secure a positive result against Valencia. The match was played at the Johan Cruyff stadium with a limited capacity of 6,000 spectators.