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Barcelona star ruled out for crucial Celta Vigo clash

Hansi Flick won't be able to count on his young forward for the second straight match

By Ernesto Hernandez

FK Crvena Zvezda v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4
FK Crvena Zvezda v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 / Nikola Krstic/MB Media/GettyImages
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The international break hasn't helped out Barcelona this time around when it comes to recovering some of their injured players.

While there was some initial optimism, it seems that Lamine Yamal will not be available for Hansi Flick when Barcelona travel to take on Celta Vigo this weekend. According to Marca, Flick does not want to take any unnecessary risks with his young star who has quickly become one of the best players in Europe.

This will be Yamal's second straight absence as he missed the match against Real Sociedad after suffering an ankle injury. A match where Barcelona lost 1-0 after a controversial call in which Robert Lewandowski's goal was called back for offside.

With Ansu Fati suffering an injury following the Real Sociedad loss, Flick's options up top are limited.

The good news for Barcelona is they will be able to count on Robert Lewandowski who missed out on international duty with Poland with an injury of his own. He's recovered in time and should be available for the match on Saturday.

That leaves Flick with a likely attacking trio of Raphinha -- who played both games with Brazil during the international break -- Lewandowski, and Pau Victor. Ferran Torres, who likely would have been Flick's choice to play on the right, is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Against Real Sociedad, Barcelona looked bereft of ideas up front despite Lewandowski's disallowed goal. At the same time, had the goal stood, the match could have gone different with the home team needing to equalize. With Yamal out, Flick decided to use Fermin Lopez on the wing with limited results.

It's why Pau Victor could be in line for a start if only to give Barcelona a more attacking presence on the right instead of leaving the onus on Jules Kounde who had a quiet game in the loss.

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As for Yamal, Barcelona are rightly taking the correct approach with the 17-year-old. If all goes well, he could be available for the Champions League fixture midweek against Brest. Until then, Barcelona are going to have to adapt and figure out a way to get a result against Celta Vigo without one of their best players considering the loss last week left them only six points ahead of Real Madrid who have a game in hand.