BARCELONA, NOV 22 – La Liga leaders Barcelona have lost two games this season, and both without star teenager Lamine Yamal as a key player. The winger will also miss tomorrow’s game against Celta Vigo.
Hansi Flick’s side have struggled whenever the 17-year-old is not on the pitch, as the Spain international has become an integral part of their attacking plans.
With Yamal set to miss the trip to Galicia due to an ankle problem, the German coach needed a plan B.
Yamal was rested during Barcelona’s visit to Osasuna in September, which the Catalan side lost 4-2.
Coming on as a substitute when Barcelona fell behind, Yamal scored a stunning late goal to remind Flick just how important he is to the team.
Since then, he has been a key player in every Barcelona game until injury ruled him out of the 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad before the international break.
Flick deployed Raphinha on the left wing and used Fermin Lopez in his unusual position on the right wing, but his side failed to create many chances in San Sebastian, despite previously scoring 40 goals in 12 league games.
“Of course, a player with quality like Lamine, every team will definitely miss him,” admitted Flick after the defeat.
“On the offensive side, we didn’t make the right decisions.”
With Dani Olmo seemingly recovered from injury, the creative midfielder could add more quality to Barcelona’s attack and support striker Robert Lewandowski to excel. – AFP