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
Injured Aubameyang to miss Gabon’s first game at Cup of Nations
- A federation statement said: “The player is unavailable for the December 24 match against Cameroon”
- “Olympique de Marseille’s medical staff requested that Aubameyang receive medical treatment in Marseille”
RABAT: Veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will miss Gabon’s opening match at the Africa Cup of Nations next week but is expected to recover from a thigh injury for their next two Group F games at the tournament in Morocco.
The 36-year-old Aubameyang, long his country’s talisman, was forced off with an injury as Olympique de Marseille beat AS Monaco in Ligue 1 on Sunday, and the Gabonese Football Federation said he was staying in France for treatment before joining up with the squad.
“Olympique de Marseille’s medical staff requested that Aubameyang receive medical treatment in Marseille after consulting with the national team’s medical staff,” said a federation statement.
“The player is unavailable for the December 24 match against Cameroon. Depending on his clinical and imaging progress, participation in the December 28 match against Mozambique is possible.” Both games are to be played in Agadir.
Gabon, who play defending champions Ivory Coast on December 31 in Marrakech, are also likely to have to make a change in defense with Metz center back Michel Mboula doubtful for the tournament due to a thigh injury.
