Yamal’s Exciting Return
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has publicly shared his excitement to return to action in LaLiga, specifically for the match against Real Sociedad scheduled for Sunday. After a challenging four-game absence due to a groin injury, the 18-year-old player is set to make his comeback. His last appearance was prior to the international break in September, during which he sat out victories against Valencia, Newcastle United, Getafe, and Real Oviedo.
Social Media Announcement
On social media, Yamal expressed his enthusiasm with the message,
“Hey! I’m back!”
accompanied by a compilation video showcasing highlights from his burgeoning career. At the start of this season, Yamal showcased impressive form, netting two goals and providing two assists within the first trio of LaLiga matches. He further contributed to Spain’s World Cup qualification campaign, assisting in three goals across wins against Bulgaria and Turkey, although this involvement raised concerns with Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick.
Injury Concerns
Yamal had arrived at the national team with a minor groin issue, which unfortunately worsened while he was on international duty. Flick critiqued the management of young players’ health, while Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, dismissed Flick’s concerns stating,
“I don’t care about his opinion. He can handle that.”
Team Updates
In other team news, precautionary actions were taken regarding Raphinha during Barcelona’s recent 3-1 win over Oviedo, as he was substituted in the second half, yet Flick has assured that the injury is not severe. Raphinha will undergo medical evaluations on Friday.
Additionally, Alejandro Balde, a left-back, is getting closer to a return following a hamstring recovery, but Marc-André ter Stegen and Gavi face longer absences, with the latter sidelined for up to five months. Furthermore, midfielder Fermín López will be out of play for three weeks due to a muscle injury sustained in the match against Getafe.
Barcelona’s Performance
Despite the injury setbacks, Barcelona has enjoyed an unbeaten run throughout seven fixtures across all competitions, maintaining a position just two points behind LaLiga leaders Real Madrid, with the only blemish being a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano in August.
