Three stars to be ruled out for Barcelona but two to return against Newcastle United | OneFootball

Barcelona travel to St James’ Park on Thursday night to take on Newcastle United.

The first round of Champions League matches seeing the two clubs face each other for a third time on Tyneside in the tournament.

United having won 3-2 in 1997, Barcelona the 2-0 winners at SJP in 2003.

The Barcelona manager has both good news and bad news when it comes to fitness and availability.

Hansi Flick revealed his anger at the weekend with the Spanish national team set-up, saying (see below) how they had played his star player Lamine Yamal in both September internationals, despite the fact he couldn’t train and had to be given painkillers so he could play.

The net result is that Lamine Yamal has been unable to train with Barcelona since he returned and across the media in Spain it is reported that it will take a ‘Miracle’ for the teenager to line up against Newcastle United.

Alejandro Balde and Gavi are also set to miss this Champions League match.

However, Hansi Flick is expected to have Frenkie de Jong available again after injury.

Whilst Raphinha is also set to return. The former Leeds winger was reportedly left out of the starting eleven on Sunday due to the manager punishing him for turning up late. However, he did come off the subs bench and scored twice, as Barcelona hammered Valencia 6-0 in their final La Liga match ahead of facing United.

The Mag report – 13 September 2025:

Hansi Flick has given a big shock update on Lamine Yamal ahead of the Newcastle v Barcelona match on Thursday night.

The Barcelona boss speaking at a press conference on Saturday.

Hansi Flick revealing that Lamine Yamal will definitely miss the La Liga game against Valencia AND is a massive doubt for the game at St James’ Park.

The Barcelona boss not happy at all with how Spain have handled the player.

Lamine Yamal hasn’t been able to train with Barcelona after his return from international duty, plus couldn’t train with Spain BUT they gave him painkillers so he could play both games.

Spain were 3-0 up against Bulgaria after 38 minutes but Yamal stayed on for 79 minutes. Whilst they were 3-0 up by half-time against Turkey and 6-0 up by the 62nd minute, yet Spain kept Lamine Yamal on until the 73rd minute.

Diario AS reporting on the Hansi Flick press conference today – 13 September 2025:

“Lamine Yamal will not be available [against Valencia on Sunday], he has discomfort in his pubis.

“He is also a doubt for Newcastle [on Thursday].

“He went to the national team with pain and did not train.

“They gave him painkillers to play.

“They had at least a three goal lead in each match and he played 73 and 79 minutes.

“Between matches, he couldn’t train.

“That’s not taking care of the player.

“I think the Spanish national team has a great team, the best players in the world, but they haven’t cared about their players.