Barcelona’s next test: Thriving without Lamine Yamal

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has thrown down the gauntlet to his squad as they prepare for another match without their teenage prodigy, Lamine Yamal.

The 17-year-old sensation remains sidelined with an ankle injury, missing his second straight La Liga fixture.

Yamal’s absence was felt during a pre-break loss to Real Sociedad, ending Barça’s seven-match winning streak. Since last season, the team has struggled without him, losing both games he didn’t start this campaign. Despite this, Flick is confident his players can rise to the challenge.

“Tomorrow I will put the question to the team, it will be a very good question for them [if they can win without Yamal],” Flick said.

“Against Real Sociedad, we didn’t play well, and it wasn’t because of Lamine’s absence. He is a very important player for us, but we have options to also play well without him.

Yamal’s stats this season are staggering: five goals, seven assists, and unmatched metrics in dribbles, chances, and shots across Europe’s top leagues. However, Flick insists the focus is on long-term recovery, stating, “We want him back only at 100%.”

As Barça sits atop La Liga, Hansi Flick’s tactical tweaks will be tested.