BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick lashed out at the Spanish national team on Saturday after Lamine Yamal was ruled out of his team’s La Liga clash against Valencia.
The 18-year-old winger did not train with the Spanish champions because of a groin issue ahead of the game on Sunday, and is also a doubt to face Newcastle in the Champions League on Thursday.
Yamal played twice for Spain in 2026 World Cup qualifying wins against Bulgaria and Turkiye last week.
“He will not be available — for me it’s a pity. He went to the national team with pain, he did not train, he got painkillers for playing,” Flick told a news conference Saturday.
“In every match they were three goals (or more) ahead, he played 79 and 73 minutes. Between the matches he didn’t train. This is not taking care about players.
“Spain have best team in the world best players in the world. In every position they are unbelievably good. Maybe also when we want to take care of players, young players, it’s like that, doing this... I’m really sad about this.”
Flick said he had spoken briefly to Spain coach Luis de la Fuente via text message but their communication could be improved.
“Maybe it’s all about my Spanish not (being) good, his English not good. Communication... there could be better,” continued former Germany coach Flick.
“I was also on this side, (coaching a) national team, and I know how hard this job can be, but the communication with the clubs was always good.”
Flick confirmed Frenkie de Jong would also miss the Valencia game but midfielder Marc Bernal is fit to return to the squad for the first time since suffering a long-term knee injury nine months ago.
Barcelona will play the game at their 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff training ground because the Spotify Camp Nou is not yet ready to be reopened.
“I spoke with the players, the captains, and they said it will not affect us,” said Flick.
“When we play at the new Camp Nou, 105,000 (capacity), maybe it’s a little bit different to playing at the Johan.
“As I said before it’s not an excuse, I will not use it, Valencia also has to play in this stadium.”
Barca’s Flick blasts Spain over Yamal injury issue
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Barca’s Flick blasts Spain over Yamal injury issue
- Barcelona coach Hansi Flick lashed out at the Spanish national team on Saturday after Lamine Yamal was ruled out of his team’s La Liga clash against Valencia
Mid East Falcons finish strong with victory over Arabia Wolves
- Abu Dhabi franchise beat their Dubai counterparts 3-2 to finish the inaugural Baseball United season joint top with Mumbai Cobras
DUBAI: Five pitchers combined to complete a five-hit, two-run game, while Jake Hjelle and Federico Celli each drove in a run, to give the Mid East Falcons a 3-2 victory over the Arabia Wolves at Baseball United Ballpark on Sunday.
Left-handed starter Shotaro Kasahara worked for 3.0 IP, allowing only one hit, with three walks and one strikeout. Yunis Halim, who earned the victory, pitched two scoreless innings, with one walk.
Stephen Mufareh (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER), Yudai Mizuchina (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO), Shotaro Nakata (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 SO) and Yokohama Baystars prospect Haru Shoshioka, who earned the save (1.0 IP, 1 SO), completed the pitching line for Mid East.
As for the offense, Alejandro de Aza went 2-for-3 with one run scored and Federico Celli went 1-for-4 with one RBI. Celli reached nine RBIs in the last two games.
With this result, the Mid East Falcons finished the season tied 6-3 with the Mumbai Cobras in the final standings. Both will dispute the United Series starting on Dec. 12.
Other highlights:
Michael Robles went 1-for-3 with a triple and one RBI, as the standout performer in the Wolves’ offense.
Angelo Cabral took the loss, after 4.0 IP, where he allowed four hits, two earned runs, gave up one walk and struck out three.
Arabia allowed a total of 20 runs in this regular season final series, with only nine runs scored.
With this result, the Wolves ended with a 4-5 record.
