Barcelona are fearing a major setback ahead of their match against Valencia. Lamine Yamal was absent from the team’s final training session on Saturday, casting uncertainty over whether the 19-year-old winger will feature in the La Liga match against Valencia at Mestalla.
Hansi Flick’s side are preparing for their fourth La Liga match of the 2026-27 season. But Yamal’s absence just before the match has cast a shadow of concern over those preparations. According to a report by Sport, Yamal was unexpectedly missing from the team’s final training session on Saturday, ahead of a difficult away match at Mestalla.
Concerns over his absence have grown following his outstanding performance against Rayo Vallecano. Club doctors will thoroughly examine Yamal’s physical condition before the team departs for the match on Saturday. Coach Flick may address the matter at the pre-match press conference that follows.
Barcelona have not yet officially disclosed anything about a possible Yamal injury. But the timing of his absence from training is disappointing for the young star, coming on the very day he received the good news of being voted the club’s new vice-captain by his teammates. According to Mundo Deportivo, Yamal was elected Barcelona’s new vice-captain in a dressing-room vote.
Without Yamal, Flick may need to alter his tactics. Since taking charge of Barcelona, the German coach has employed a high-pressing style of football, in which Yamal plays a crucial role. Besides his effectiveness in attack, his relentless work rate in winning back possession is also extremely important to the team.