Barcelona without Yamine Lamal for trip to Newcastle United | OneFootball

Barcelona will be without teenage sensation Lamine Yamal (18) for their Champions League opener against Newcastle United on Thursday, with the winger sidelined by a groin injury, as reported by BBC Sport.

The 18-year-old also missed Sunday’s 6-0 victory over Valencia. Manager Hansi Flick voiced frustration over the player’s heavy workload during the international break, when Yamal featured for 79 minutes in Spain’s 3-0 win over Bulgaria before playing a further 73 minutes in a 6-0 triumph against Turkey.

Flick’s frustration reflects a wider concern at Barcelona over the management of their young stars. Yamal, who broke through last season, has already established himself as a first-team regular, but the club are keen to protect him from burnout.

Barcelona will also be without left-back Alejandro Balde, recovering from a hamstring problem, and midfielder Gavi, who remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury. However, Frenkie de Jong, who sat out the Valencia match following international duty with the Netherlands, returns to the squad.

The Catalan champions, who lifted La Liga last season and reached the Champions League semi-finals before losing to Inter Milan, begin their latest European campaign at St James’ Park seeking to underline their continental ambitions.

GFN | Finn Entwistle