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Join on Telegram Barcelona coach Hansi Flick spoke about Lamine Yamal’s fitness, confirming that the young midfielder is still dealing with the effects of a recent injury and that his return to games remains uncertain.
In his press conference ahead of the Sevilla match, Flick said: “Lamine Yamal felt fine, otherwise he wouldn’t have played against Paris Saint-Germain. I spoke with him, and today he seems better, but he’s still not fully fit.”
The German coach explained that he spoke with Yamal this morning to discuss his condition and how the team can support him: “We talked to him this morning and told him how we can help. Everyone knows his great talent, but it’s my responsibility as coach to give him the right amount of playing time when he returns without rushing.”
Flick stressed the importance of balancing physical and tactical aspects in Yamal’s performance: “When players aren’t fully fit, they rely more on their strengths. Lamine is brilliant with the ball at his feet, but it’s also important for him to be effective when he doesn’t have the ball.”
Regarding Yamal’s return date, Flick said: “We don’t know exactly when he’ll be back. The injury isn’t muscular, which makes things a bit more complicated. He could be out for two weeks, maybe three or four. We can’t set a precise timeline.”
He added that Yamal might miss the upcoming El Clásico against Real Madrid: “I don’t know if he’ll be ready for El Clásico. For now, he’ll continue working with the recovery staff, and we’ll take things step by step.”
Speaking about his past disagreement with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Flick said “The situation you’re referring to happened after the last international break. What I wanted was to protect and support my player, that’s all. It’s over now, and I’m not thinking negatively.”
He concluded: “I don’t regret what I said. I wanted to protect my player, and that was my way of saying we need to stop. That’s in the past now. We need to focus on the present and future. It’s behind us, and the important thing is to manage the situation together with players, clubs, and the national team.”
