Lamine Yamal trained separately from the rest of Barcelona's squad ahead of the crucial La Liga clash at Valencia, leaving Hansi Flick facing a selection headache with the winger's involvement still uncertain. The Spanish international took a knock during the international break and sat out the final session before travelling to Mestalla, though the German manager confirmed the 17-year-old would be available for selection.
Flick revealed that Yamal prefers match action to individual training drills, insisting the youngster remains in excellent mental and physical condition despite the minor injury concern. "Playing is better for him than training," the Barcelona boss explained, though he stopped short of committing to starting the talented winger. Twenty-three outfield players participated in the full session, including recovered duo Gavi and Gabriel Jesus, alongside goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who earned his first squad involvement as back-up to Marc-André ter Stegen.
Selection Dilemma in a Packed Week
Barcelona travelled to Valencia with 24 players, forcing Flick to delay his team news until the final moment. The squad depth means one player will watch from the stands, marking an unprecedented situation early in the campaign as the manager juggles competing demands. This week alone features both the Valencia fixture and the Champions League opener against Feyenoord, requiring careful rotation and resource management.
The timing adds another layer of complexity, with the match scheduled during peak heat at Mestalla. Temperatures are expected to reach around 34 degrees Celsius, presenting additional physical demands on the Barcelona squad. Despite these obstacles, a victory would extend Barcelona's lead over Real Madrid to three points following their recent slip-up, positioning Flick's side as sole La Liga leaders heading into the international break.
Yamal's availability remains the key question mark as Barcelona chase the points needed to establish early separation from their fierce rivals in what promises to be a demanding fortnight.
