A return to the scene of the injury

This Saturday, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will travel to Butarque, a stadium that stirs more anxiety than excitement. The Catalan side may be flying high after their dominant 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, but memories of their December loss to Leganés still linger. In that match, the team not only lost 1-0, but also saw rising star Lamine Yamal exit with an injury.

The young winger, who was in visible discomfort from the 16th minute, sustained a right ankle sprain after a strong challenge from Yvan Neyou. Although he stayed on the pitch until the 76th minute, medical tests later confirmed a "Grade 1 injury to the anterior tibiofibular ligament," which sidelined him for several weeks.

Now, as he prepares to return to the same stadium and face the same opponent, the atmosphere around Barcelona is tense. Yamal is an essential part of the team’s attack, and any setback to his health could derail the club’s ambitions for the season.

A tense reunion sparks concern

Inside the Barcelona locker room, the issue has not gone unnoticed. Lamine Yamal, fully recovered and performing at a high level—including a recent standout display against Dortmund—remains cautious. His previous encounter with Neyou left a physical mark, and that memory hasn’t faded.

Sources close to the team say that while Yamal has not shown fear, he has expressed unease about the upcoming match. He trusts in his fitness and the support of his teammates but knows that one bad tackle could change everything.

Head coach Hansi Flick has handled the matter delicately. In his pre-match comments, he avoided direct confrontation but emphasized that protecting players’ health is a top priority during this crucial part of the season. With several key objectives on the horizon, he is unlikely to take unnecessary risks with one of his brightest stars.

As Barcelona pushes for results in LaLiga, the spotlight will also be on Yamal’s every move at Butarque. His talent is undeniable—but in a stadium that once brought pain, the mission will be to shine… and stay safe.