BlaugranaBringing a breath of fresh air when the club seeks to capitalize on the recent missteps of its rival, Real Madrid, defeated heavily in the derby.
Quick return and cautious management
Despite everything, Yamal's return is a huge relief. Against Real Sociedad, in difficulty, the young player should play a minor role to gradually find the pace, preparing for more difficult challenges. The Flick team is preparing to welcome Paris Saint-Germain, reigning European champion, this Wednesday in the Champions League. However, there will be no direct confrontation between Yamal and the winner of the Ballon d'Or, Ousmane Dembélé, the Frenchman being currently unavailable due to injury.
Asked about Yamal's game time at the pre-match press conference, the German coach confirmed his intention to use it: “Whether on the bench or holder, he will have playing time”. Flick also dismissed any fear of a relapse: “We are happy that he is back and we do not think about this kind of thing (a new injury)”, saying that the careful analysis of injury situations is part of the work of the team.
The wave of injuries and the blow GAVI
If Yamal's return is good news, the general situation to the Barcelona infirmary is alarming. The list of wounded continues to lie down, putting pressure on the depth of the team and the management of the workforce by Flick.
The most significant loss concerns the titular goalkeeper, Joan Garcia, who should miss a large part of the next two months after undergoing a knee operation. He is in a race against the clock to be restored in time for the Clasico. Flick admitted that the loss of his number one was “not good news”, but expressed his confidence in the replacement goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny. “Last season, we won three titles with him (Szczesny). He is a fantastic goalkeeper and person; I have no doubt about him. »»
To these absences are added the injuries of Raphinha and Fermin Lopez, but the hardest blow probably concerns Gavi. The 21 -year -old midfielder, already a victim of several serious injuries during his short career, should be absent for several months after a new knee operation. His career is tragically interrupted by a recurrence of pain and injuries that require a long convalescence. Yamal also visited him in the hospital, a sign of solidarity within the group against these reverse.
Flick's anger against Spanish selection
The return of Yamal brings a relief all the greater as FC Barcelona is increasingly frustrated by the management of the young player by the Spanish national team. Hansi Flick regularly raised against excessive recruitment and the coach's decision, Luis de la Fuente, to keep the winger despite minor injuries. THE Blaugrana Consider that Yamal problems could be aggravated by a regular selection while it plays in pain.
Flick expressed a strong criticism of Spanish supervision: “They gave him pain relievers and played 73 and 79 minutes. And between the matches, he did not train. It is neglecting the players… Spain has the best players and the best national team, but they did not take care of the players, and that's all I can say. I am very disappointed. »»
This public confrontation between the club coach and the national selection highlights the growing tensions around the management of young talents. Yamal’s gradual return, even if it is excellent news, is part of a context where Barça must not only win on the field, but also protect its players from the requirements of overloaded calendars and the risk of injury.
