Barcelona Star Lamine Yamal Doubtful for Valencia Match Due to Injury

FC Barcelona's young star Lamine Yamal is likely to miss the upcoming La Liga match against Valencia due to physical problems that kept him out of training. The 18-year-old winger, who recently played significant minutes for Spain during World Cup qualifiers, has been dealing with minor back discomfort sustained during international duty, which has not fully resolved. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed concern over Yamal's condition, emphasizing the need to protect young players. Alongside Yamal, key players Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Alejandro Balde are also sidelined, compounding Barcelona's injury woes. In Yamal's absence, potential replacements include Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and promising youngster Roony Bardghji, though the latter may not be risked due to limited recent playtime. Meanwhile, midfielder Marc Bernal has been cleared to return after a long-term injury, providing a rare positive note as Barcelona prepares for the fixture at the smaller Johan Cruyff Stadium.