Hansi Flick has confirmed the reason for his decision to bench Lamine Yamal in Barcelona’s La Liga clash at Osasuna.
La Blaugrana are facing the prospect of seeing their impressive start to the season ended in Pamplona as they trail 2-0 at the break.
Osasuna have overpowered Flick’s team in the opening 45 minutes at El Sadar and he is expected to turn to his bench at half time.
With the schedule becoming more demanding, Flick made a host of rotations from the midweek 1-0 win over Getafe, including Lamine Yamal on the bench.
It is the first time the 17-year-old has started a league game outside of the first XI this season and Flick explained his decision in a pre-game interview.
“We have to rotate because there are a lot of games in the coming weeks and we have Lamine , Raphinha and Inigo Martinez who have played a lot of minutes”, as per quotes from Mundo Deportivo.
Flick is certain to make half time changes, with Lamine Yamal likely to be among them, ahead of a midweek UEFA Champions League clash with Young Boys.
EmeraldJ
8
You don't blame the coach. The boy is 17 and the number of matches is getting out of hand... If He plays Yamal and he gets injured, you guys will still blame him for risking him against useless team. Blame those other players who failed to turn up and fill the gap for the club. Imagine those old enough to be Yamal's Dad depending on him and wouldn't deliver in his absence?