Barcelona’s return to Champions League action comes with all the weight and expectation that follows a club of their stature. The opening fixture of the campaign is no ordinary test either, a trip to St. James’ Park to face a rejuvenated Newcastle side hungry to make their mark in Europe. It's a night that demands composure and star quality from Hansi Flick’s squad.
A star will be absent for the high-stakes fixture, as Barcelona head into their Champions League opener without one of their most influential players. The injury to Lamine Yamal has turned out to be more serious than initially feared, dealing a blow to Hansi Flick’s plans.
The Spanish sensation is now officially ruled out of the trip to England and is also expected to miss upcoming La Liga clashes against Getafe and Real Oviedo. The club’s medical team is aiming to have him fully fit in time for the crucial home tie against Paris Saint-Germain, a fixture that could define Barcelona’s European campaign and pits two Champions League favourites up against one another.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the groin issue affecting the 18-year-old first surfaced during the match against Levante, where he experienced initial discomfort. The problem worsened during the following fixture in the hard-fought draw away to Rayo Vallecano.
As Hansi Flick noted in his press conference, greater precautions should have been taken by the Spanish national team during their World Cup qualifying double-header against Bulgaria and Turkey. Despite concerns, Lamine Yamal played over 150 minutes across the two matches, potentially aggravating the injury and not allowing a period of rest to recover.
Now Barcelona pays the price. Now, Barcelona pays the price and must navigate a challenging stretch without one of their brightest stars. Fortunately, the depth and talent within the squad should be enough to see them through these upcoming fixtures. While any absence is a setback, the points at stake in La Liga may prove more decisive in the long run than those in the group stage opener at St. James' Park.
Despite the setback, Barcelona remain well-equipped to compete on all fronts. With depth, determination, and a European pedigree, they’ll aim to turn adversity into momentum throughout the month of September while they wait for their star to return.