As Barcelona prepares to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals this Tuesday night at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, fans are buzzing with concern over the absence of young winger Lamine Yamal from Monday's training session.
Yamal, the 17-year-old sensation who secured his 11th assist of the 2024-25 season during Barca's 2-0 victory over Las Palmas on Saturday, departed the match with a bleeding foot injury after being harshly tackled. While missing the training, Yamal was spotted staying active in the gym, indicating his determination to stay fit for the crucial match ahead.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick remains optimistic about Yamal's participation against Atletico Madrid. \"We'll have to wait and see, I think he'll be able to play. I'm positive, but we'll have to see what the doctor says,\" Flick told reporters. He also voiced his frustration regarding the foul play, emphasizing the need for fair play to protect all players. \"We should protect them, I think that's the most sensible thing to do,\" Flick added, highlighting the importance of safeguarding talented players to maintain the competitive spirit of the game.
As the semifinal approaches, all eyes will be on Yamal's recovery and whether he can contribute to Barcelona's campaign. His performance this season has been remarkable, and fans hope to see him back on the field, continuing to showcase his skills and passion for the game.
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Yamal misses Barca's training session before game with Atletico Madrid
cgtn.com