Barcelona faces Newcastle without Lamine Yamal due to a groin issue. Balde and Gavi are also out, but Frenkie de Jong returns for the Champions League opener.
Barcelona's Yamal Absent for Newcastle Clash
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Barcelona will face Newcastle United in their Champions League opener without winger Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old has been ruled out due to a groin issue, which also kept him out of Barcelona’s recent 6-0 victory over Valencia. Concerns have been expressed over Yamal’s workload during the international break, where he played significant minutes for Spain.
Yamal’s absence is not the only setback for Barcelona. Spain left-back Alejandro Balde and midfielder Gavi are also sidelined due to injuries. However, there is a boost for the Catalan side as Frenkie de Jong is available for selection after missing the Valencia match following international duty.
Key takeaways
- Lamine Yamal is out of the Newcastle match with a groin issue
- Concerns were raised about Yamal’s international workload
- Alejandro Balde and Gavi are also unavailable due to injuries
- Frenkie de Jong returns to the squad for the Champions League game
What it means
Barcelona’s squad depth will be tested against Newcastle with key players missing. The absence of Yamal, Balde, and Gavi could impact Barcelona’s performance, but the return of Frenkie de Jong provides some relief. This match will serve as an early test of Barcelona’s resilience in the Champions League.
