Barcelona boss Flick slams Spain's handling of Yamal injury - ESPN

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick accused Spain of «not taking care» of Lamine Yamal during the international break after the forward was ruled out of Sunday's LaLiga match against Valencia.

Yamal, 18, featured in Spain's World Cup qualifying wins against Bulgaria and Turkey last week despite managing pain in the groin area.

As a result, he will miss this weekend's visit from Valencia and is also a doubt for Thursday's opening game in the Champions League away at Premier League side Newcastle United.

«Lamine goes to the national team with pain, didn't train, had painkillers to play, they were three goals ahead in every match, and he played 79 and 73 minutes,» Flick said in a news conference Saturday.

«Between the matches he didn't train. This is not taking care of players. Spain have the best team in the world, in every position they are unbelievably good. I am really sad about this [situation].»

Yamal had started the season in fine form, scoring two goals and registering two assists for Barça in their opening three LaLiga games. He then contributed three more assists in his two Spain appearances.

Flick, who previously coached the Germany national team, said the communication with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente could be better.

«I never really spoke with [De la Fuente],» he added. «Maybe my Spanish is not good, his English is not good, so this is a problem.

»Normally, the communication, because we have more players there than just Lamine, could be better. I was also on this side as a national team coach, so I know how hard this job sometimes is, but the communication with the clubs was always good."

Barça will also be without Frenkie de Jong against Valencia after the midfielder picked up an injury while with the