Flick hopes Barcelona’s Yamal can face Valencia after taking a knock

Barcelona will take Lamine Yamal to Mestalla, but Hansi Flick has not decided whether the teenage winger can face Valencia after taking a knock.

Yamal did not train with his teammates on Saturday. He worked separately at the training ground, and Flick said the decision would depend on whether it was better for him to rest or start. “For tomorrow we have to wait, I cannot say it today,” Flick told reporters.

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For tomorrow we have to wait, I cannot say it today.

The coach said Yamal felt pain after taking the hit, but felt well after training separately. “He trained separately and everything was good, he will travel with us tomorrow,” Flick said. “After the training he said everything was good so he will travel and hopefully he can play tomorrow.”

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He trained separately and everything was good, he will travel with us tomorrow.

Yamal scored his first two goals of the season in Monday’s 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona began the season with a 100 percent record and could establish themselves as sole league leaders after Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat at Real Betis.

Flick said Barcelona would focus on their own performance rather than Madrid’s setback. New signing Gabriel Jesus is likely to start on the bench, with Raphinha expected to continue as the starting striker after scoring five goals in three games in that position. “In this moment (Raphinha) is doing really great,” Flick said. “He’s the best option for us at the moment in this position.”

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In this moment (Raphinha) is doing really great. He’s the best option for us at the moment in this position.