Why did Lamine Yamal start on bench in Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup clash vs Athletic Club? Hansi Flick provides update

1 week ago 3

ARTICLE AD BOX

Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Athletic Club kicked off with a major talking point, the decision to bench star winger Lamine Yamal. Manager Hansi Flick addressed the situation in his pre-match comments, reassuring fans that the 18-year-old prodigy is in good shape despite missing group training earlier in the week.

Reason behind Lamine Yamal's benching

Lamine Yamal, a key figure in Barcelona's attacking lineup, skipped Tuesday's training session due to a minor physical issue, reportedly a stomach virus that left him feeling under the weather. While he was expected to recover in time to start, Hansi Flick chose caution over risk. The German coach opted for a fresh attacking trio of Roony Bardghji, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres, with Robert Lewandowski also starting on the bench.

This move reflected Flick's careful player management early in 2026. With Barcelona riding an eight-game winning streak and topping La Liga, preserving Yamal's fitness ahead of a potential final is a smart priority.

Read Entire Article