Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick, has criticized Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal after the teenager was ruled out of Sunday’s La Liga fixture against Valencia.
The 18-year-old winger, who is also a doubt for Thursday’s Champions League clash with Newcastle, was sidelined with a groin problem after returning from international duty.
Yamal featured for Spain in their recent World Cup qualifying victories over Bulgaria and Turkey, despite carrying discomfort before joining up with the squad.
“He will not be available, for me it’s a pity. He went to the national team with pain, he did not train, he got painkillers for playing,” Flick told reporters on Saturday.
“In every match they were three goals (or more) ahead, he played 79 and 73 minutes. Between the matches he didn’t train. This is not taking care about players.
“Spain have best team in the world best players in the world. In every position they are unbelievably good. Maybe also when we want to take care of players, young players, it’s like that, doing this… I’m really sad about this.”
The German coach revealed he had been in touch with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, but admitted their conversations were limited.
“Maybe it’s all about my Spanish not (being) good, his English not good. Communication… there could be better,” Flick added.
“I was also on this side, (coaching a) national team, and I know how hard this job can be, but the communication with the clubs was always good.”
Flick also confirmed Frenkie de Jong remains unavailable, while 19-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal is set to rejoin the squad for the first time since a serious knee injury nine months ago.
With Camp Nou still under renovation, Barcelona will host Valencia at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, but Flick insisted the venue will not be a distraction.
“I spoke with the players, the captains, and they said it will not affect us,” he said.
“When we play at the new Camp Nou, 105,000 (capacity), maybe it’s a little bit different to playing at the Johan.
“As I said before it’s not an excuse, I will not use it, Valencia also has to play in this stadium.”