Why isn’t Yamal playing for Barcelona in UCL? Flick’s ‘setback’ injury update

The 17-year-old has been ruled out of the visit of Brest in the Champions League as he continues his recovery.

Barcelona will be without teenage sensation Lamine Yamal on Tuesday when they host Brest in the Champions League.

The 17-year-old has been ruled out by head coach Hansi Flick as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury suffered in the UCL win over Crvena Zvezda earlier this month.

AS sources in Spain report that Yamal has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation. It was initially hoped he would return to action after the November international break, but he will remain on the sidelines until the visit of Las Palmas on Saturday.

“I think this could be the last game he misses,” Flick said ahead of the Champions League match. He could be an option from the bench on Saturday.”

Barcelona will expect to overpower the Ligue 1 side even without the talents of Lamine Yamal at their disposal. But their recent loss of form due to the teenager's absence has raised a few eyebrows.

Barcelona's record without Lamine Yamal

“We know how important he is, I won't deny that,” Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez admitted at the pre-match press conference. “He creates a lot of fear. He is vital, but that doesn't mean whoever replaces him isn't up to the task.”

After a breakthrough season in the 2023/24 season and a string of brilliant performances on the way to the European Championship with Spain over the summer, the pressure was on on Yamal going into the new season. Incredibly, he may have exceeded those expectations.

In 12 LaLiga appearances he has scored five goals and provided seven assists – seriously impressive figures for a wide player. His direct running ability and creative spark make him a constant threat, occupying opposition defenses and giving the likes of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski more space to operate.

His influence on the team's fate is clear. Of the fifteen games in which Yamal started this season, Barcelona have won fourteen. The Catalan giants have won just one of four without him in the starting XI.

As Martinez explained: “Lamine is Lamine, we don't have him now and that doesn't mean we won't win, just because he's not there. We need to focus on the ones we have. There is enough team to win every match. We know his potential.”