Lamine Yamal’s Knee Raises Concerns Ahead of Crucial Napoli Clash

As FC Barcelona navigates through the pivotal phase of the season, the recent injuries to De Jong and Pedri in San Mamés have added significant challenges. With both ruled out for the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Napoli, the focus is on preserving the available squad members for the crucial fixture on March 12. The coaching staff is especially attentive to the condition of Lamine Yamal, who has been dealing with knee discomfort.

The young forward, who did not feature at all against Getafe and began as a substitute against Athletic Club, entered the match after Pedri’s injury. Despite the club expressing calmness, they are handling Lamine Yamal’s discomfort with utmost caution. Recognizing his importance, Xavi views the academy player as a vital asset for the match against Napoli, aiming for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals of the prestigious European club competition.

Prudence prevails in the Catalan locker room following recent injuries to De Jong and Pedri, compounded by the season-long absences of Gavi and Balde and the lumbalgia issues affecting Ter Stegen and Marcos Alonso. Meanwhile, Ferran Torres is nearing the final stages of his recovery and could make a comeback soon.

If Lamine responds positively to upcoming training sessions, he is likely to start in the Champions League. However, before the Napoli encounter, Barcelona faces Mallorca on Friday at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc, providing a final test before the return of the Champions League anthem. Despite the caution, Lamine is by no means ruled out for the clash against Mallorca.

In his debut season with the first team, Lamine Yamal has showcased remarkable performances. Having participated in 36 matches, he stands as the second-highest appearance maker in the squad, tied with Lewandowski and surpassed only by Gündogan. With five goals and seven assists in 1,956 minutes on the field, the young talent is poised to break records of precocity. One significant milestone remains on his checklist – becoming the youngest scorer in the history of the Champions League. Will he achieve it against Napoli?