Flick confirms Lamine will miss Barcelona vs Valencia, criticises Spain NT – ‘Not looking after the players’

As Barcelona get set to take on Valencia in their first home game of the season, manager Hansi Flick confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Lamine Yamal will be unavailable.

The 18-year-old prodigy was absent from training today due to back problems and the manager confirmed that the youngster will not be involved tomorrow.

“No, he won’t be available for tomorrow,” said Flick.

The Barcelona manager then hit out at the Spanish national team for their management of the youngster as he was forced to play in both their games during the international break despite dealing with discomfort.

“He played for the national team despite discomfort. He played 75-78 minutes with discomfort and without training between matches. And that’s not looking after the players,” he said.

Lamine ruled out. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

“I think the Spanish national team has a great squad, the best players in the world, but they haven’t looked after their players and that’s news that saddens me.”

On whether he had spoken to Spain manager Luis de la Fuente about Lamine’s situation, Flick replied:

“I’ve never spoken to him, just texted, but I’ve never spoken to him. My Spanish isn’t very good, neither is his English, but at the end of the day, communication could be better, we don’t just have one player, we have more.

“I’ve been in that situation too, but communication with the club has to be good, and it has to be good.”

Later on in the press conference, Barcelona’s press officer Gabriel Martinez stated that Lamine is a doubt for next week’s UEFA Champions League clash against Newcastle United.

“Yes, discomfort in his pubic bone. He has been tested. He won’t be available for tomorrow and is doubtful for Newcastle,” he said.

Source: AS