Barcelona teenage sensation dealing with knee discomfort ahead of Napoli clash
Barcelona are already reeling over the injuries of key players, namely, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri and as they prepare for the business end of the season, a report from SPORT has emerged, saying that the technical team is treating Lamine Yamal with absolute care so that he can participate against Napoli with absolutely no concern.
It is to be noted that neither De Jong nor Pedri will be available for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie against Napoli and given the circumstances, Barcelona just cannot afford to lose any more players.
This is why Barcelona have decided to treat Yamal and his fitness with such finesse.
Yamal has had enough rest
The 16-year-old forward has been experiencing some discomfort in his knee over the past few weeks, forcing him to sit out against Getafe for the entire match. During the 4-0 win, Yamal did not play a single minute.
In the recent away fixture against Athletic Club, he did not start either, but an injury to Pedri necessitated his presence on the pitch just before half-time.
Given these circumstances, Barcelona are adopting a cautious approach towards Yamal’s discomfort, aiming to mitigate any potential risks.
Barcelona are worried
The Blaugrana coaches recognise Yamal’s significance and rely on him for the crucial match against Napoli, seeking to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the continental championship.
The Barcelona locker is extremely cautious at the moment, particularly after the recent injuries to both De Jong and Pedri. Additionally, the team is grappling with long-term absences, such as Gavi and Alejandro Balde, who will miss the remainder of the season.
All these issues are just the tip of the iceberg as it must be noted that even the likes of Marcos Alonso and Marc-Andre ter Stegen have had surgeries to recover from back problems.
Considering all this, Barcelona have decided to be cautious with Yamal as they want his services for the all-important match against Napoli.