Barcelona forward absent from group training, practically ruled out against Brest | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal is highly unlikely to feature in Barcelona’s upcoming clash against Brest on Tuesday, which forms part of the fifth round of the Champions League group stage.

The young talent, who has been a standout performer for the Catalan giants, missed Monday’s training session with the main group, effectively ruling him out of contention for the match against the French side, reports MARCA.

Yamal is currently recovering from a grade 1 injury to the syndesmosis of his right ankle. Barcelona initially announced on the 11th of this month that the recovery period for such an injury would span approximately two to three weeks.

Not entirely fine

With 15 days having passed since the injury, it seems the youngster is not yet fully fit to return to action.

Lamine Yamal did not train with the team. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

This is a significant blow for the team, as Yamal has been a crucial part of Hansi Flick’s setup, commanding the right wing with maturity beyond his years.

His absence has left a noticeable gap in the squad, both tactically and in terms of creativity on the pitch.

Despite Yamal’s unavailability, there is positive news for Barcelona in other areas. Both Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres joined group training sessions, hinting that they could be included in the squad for Tuesday’s match if they receive the necessary medical clearance.

Alejandro Balde, another important figure in the team, has also resumed normal training, offering some relief to the coaching staff.

Yamal’s absence continues to underline the challenges Barcelona face in maintaining consistency during a demanding season.

The team will need to adapt once more, relying on other players to step up in the absence of the young prodigy. While his recovery progresses, fans will hope to see him return stronger and ready to contribute in the crucial stages of the competition.