Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has declared that the absence of Lamine Yamal is not responsible for their poor performance and subsequent defeat to Real Sociedad before the international break. The 17-year-old is still out of action with an ankle injury, and will be out of action against Celta Vigo at Balaidos on Saturday night at 21:00 CEST.
The Blaugrana have lost just twice in La Liga this season, and it has been emphasized in the Spanish press that both of those have come in the only two games when the teenage star has not started.
“No, so against Real Sociedad, we didn’t play very good, but Lamine not playing with us was not the reason. Lamine is of course very important for us, but we have players who can play, so we have to care about that. Lamine cannot play tomorrow. We will see when he is right, and can come back, but for us it is important that he comes back 100%.”
Flick was asked whether it was a challenge for Barcelona to win without Lamine Yamal.
“I will ask the team this tomorrow, I think it is a good question for them,” Flick said with a smile on his face.
