Hansi Flick revealed that Lamine Yamal asked for the Champions League victory to be replaced in Barcelona against Borussia Dortmund, but had interrupted concerns about serious fitness problems.
Yamal lasted 86 minutes and scored the final goal of a 4-0 strike for the Catalan hosts on Wednesday evening before signaling the bank.
Flick was already without attacking the midfielder Dani Olmo, who has to struggle with an adductor injury and can hardly afford it without going into a match without the incredibly influential Yamal.
However, the radiant Barcelona boss triggered the concerns about the fitness of the teenager by describing Yamal as “fine”. “He had played too many minutes,” said Flick.
Barcelona’s incredible youngster has seen in 43 of the club’s 48 games in all competitions this season. While this number does not come close to the 101 consecutive appearances, Jules Kounde for Club and Land made it an incredible amount of football for a 17-year-old.
No other player under the age of 18 can come close to the Yamals Mutes of Play for Club and Country this season.
The removal of Yamal offered Ansu Fati a rare opportunity to stretch his legs. In contrast to his teammate, the club’s former child prodigy was limited to just 191 minutes this season. While it had an injury to Barcelona’s star wing, Flick had to earn his appearance in Cameo in the middle of the week.
It is unlikely that Yamal will deserve much more break in the coming weeks. The teenager phenomenon was only overlooked when it has blocked itself through injuries, and the season is approaching an exciting climax for triple outfit.
Barcelona has to do against Leganes in the league on Saturday when they try to keep Real Madrid in the top title race the next Tuesday in the top title race before the second leg of the Champions League next Tuesday. Before April there is also the small matter of a Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.
Like Flick to his young gemstone at the beginning of this season, “Champions don’t rest.”