Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has hit out at the Spanish national team after teenage winger Lamine Yamal was ruled out of Sunday’s La Liga clash with Valencia due to a groin problem.
The 18-year-old, who also remains a doubt for Thursday’s Champions League meeting with Newcastle, did not train with his club after returning from international duty. Yamal featured in both of Spain’s World Cup qualifying victories against Bulgaria and Turkey last week, playing 79 and 73 minutes despite carrying discomfort.
“He will not be available – for me it’s a pity,” Flick told reporters on 13 September. “He went to the national team with pain, he didn’t train, and he was given painkillers so he could play. In every match they were three goals or more ahead, yet he still played long minutes. This is not looking after players.
“Spain have the best team in the world, the best players in the world, they are unbelievably strong in every position. But if we want to protect young players, this is not the way. I’m really disappointed.”
Flick revealed he had exchanged brief text messages with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente but admitted their communication was lacking.
“Maybe it’s because my Spanish is not very good and his English is not good either. Communication could definitely be better,” he said. “I know how difficult the national team job can be, but when I was in that role the communication with clubs was always strong.”
Barcelona will also be without Frenkie de Jong for the Valencia fixture, although midfielder Marc Bernal is available for the first time since suffering a long-term knee injury nine months ago.
The game will be staged at Barcelona’s 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, with the Spotify Camp Nou still under renovation.
“I spoke with the captains and they said it won’t affect us,” Flick explained. “Of course, playing at a new Camp Nou with 105,000 fans will be very different to here, but it’s not an excuse. Valencia also have to play in this stadium.”
