FC Barcelona's young talent, Lamine Yamal, is currently under assessment after sustaining a foot injury during the recent match against Las Palmas. The injury occurred from a stamp on his left foot, leading to visible bleeding, which Yamal shared humorously on his social media, captioning it, "¡No es falta!" ("Not a foul!"). AS.COM
In preparation for the upcoming Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atlético Madrid, Yamal did not participate in the team's training session on Monday, opting instead for gym work to minimize the risk of aggravating the injury. Head coach Hansi Flick addressed the situation in a press conference, expressing optimism about Yamal's availability: "We have to wait 24 hours to understand if he will be available against Atlético Madrid. But I really hope to have Lamine as part of the squad." REUTERS.COM
Flick also emphasized the importance of protecting skillful players like Yamal, stating that while special protection isn't necessary, referees should appropriately sanction harsh tackles to maintain the flow of the game. CADENASER.COM
The final decision regarding Yamal's participation will depend on medical evaluations conducted in the hours leading up to the match. His potential absence poses a significant consideration for Barcelona's attacking strategy against a formidable Atlético Madrid side.