Barcelona bench Lamine Yamal for Supercopa semi against Athletic Club

Goal reports Barcelona begin their quest to claim the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia with a semi-final against Athletic Club, but Hansi Flick left 18-year-old Lamine Yamal out of the starting XI, naming him on the bench as a cautious measure after ongoing injury issues this season.

Yamal has missed five games this season with groin problems and spent a significant amount of time injured last season, missing 11 games across 2024-25, the article says. The 23-cap international has struggled to maintain his fitness before the winter break, and Flick explained his selection: "Lamine Yamal can play. He didn't train yesterday, but he is available to play. We spoke with Lamine after lunch and he's fine. I hope to see the best version of Barca today. The midfield with Pedri and Frenkie has given us so much and we want to continue like that."

Swedish forward Roony Bardghji was named in Yamal's place and had an impact as Barcelona were 4-0 up by half-time, with Ferran Torres opening the scoring 22 minutes in, Fermin Lopez adding a second, Bardghji on the scoresheet with a fortunate curl, and Raphinha rounding off the first-half burst. Flick is opting to ease Yamal back into action ahead of a potential final against Real Madrid or Atletico; the piece notes that a meeting with Real Madrid could offer Barca a chance to avenge an earlier El Clasico defeat.

Key Topics

Sports, Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, Hansi Flick, Athletic Club, Supercopa