When Will Lamine Yamal Return? Flick Sets a Date for His Comeback
In the pre-match press conference ahead of the Brest game, Flick provided updates on the squad's fitness during a critical week with two important fixtures.
FC Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, has confirmed that Lamine Yamal could be ready to return this Saturday in the LaLiga match against Las Palmas, while Alejandro Balde, dealing with muscle discomfort, will miss Tuesday's Champions League clash against Brest.
“Balde has been struggling with muscle issues since last week. Before the match against Celta, we thought he could play, but it wasn’t possible. Today, he’s feeling better and could be an option for future games, but not for tomorrow,” the coach explained.
Regarding Lamine Yamal, who has been sidelined with a right ankle injury that kept him out of recent draws against Real Sociedad (1-0) and Celta (2-2), Flick is optimistic about his return.
“Today, he looked really good. I hope he can be an option on Saturday, perhaps coming off the bench, but we’ll have to wait,” said the German manager.
Barcelona will face the challenge of taking on Brest, unbeaten in the Champions League and one of the season's biggest surprises, without starting Lamine Yamal. Notably, Barça has failed to secure a win this season when the young Mataró forward hasn’t been in the starting lineup.
“Brest has done an excellent job. They’ve got ten points in the group, and we already saw what they achieved in Salzburg. We need to focus on this match and do our best to beat them,” Flick analyzed.
The coach aims to secure a fourth consecutive victory in the Champions League and dispel doubts from recent LaLiga setbacks. “We’re working well. The players know what we need to improve, and I fully trust them,” he affirmed.
Among the areas to refine, Flick highlighted the importance of better ball control and game management. “Sometimes, after regaining possession, it’s better to hold the ball and restart instead of immediately pushing for another goal. This is something we need to learn, especially in away matches,” he reflected.
Despite the challenges, Flick emphasized that this Barcelona team is young and in the process of consolidation. “The quality of the squad is very high, and we want to show that on the pitch. We’re still leading LaLiga, albeit with a smaller gap, but we’re on the right track,” he concluded.
