Flick hoping Barca’s Yamal can face Valencia after knock

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File: Barcelona’s Spanish forward Lamine Yamal. Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO / AFP.

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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is hoping teenage star Lamine Yamal is fit to face Valencia in La Liga on Sunday after taking a knock.

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The 19-year-old winger did not train with his team-mates on Saturday but instead worked by himself at the training ground.

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“For tomorrow we have to wait, I cannot say it today,” Flick told reporters Saturday.

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“We have to decide if it’s better that he rests or he starts from the beginning, I’ll speak with him and we’ll decide that.

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“Lamine is a player who likes to play football.”

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Flick said Yamal will travel with the team to Mestalla stadium, where Barca are looking to continue their 100 percent start to the season.

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“He trained separately and everything was good, he will travel with us tomorrow,” said Flick.

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“He took a hit and he had some pain so we said it’s better that he trains separately,” added the coach.

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“After the training he said everything was good so he will travel and hopefully he can play tomorrow.”

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Yamal impressed in the 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano on Monday, netting his first two goals of the season.

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Rivals Real Madrid slipped up in a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on Friday, giving champions Barca the chance to establish themselves as sole league leaders.

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“When you see the game yesterday, Real Madrid also played well… they had big, big chances,” said Flick.

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“This is football, (slipping up) can always happen. For us it’s important that we focus on ourselves.”

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New arrival Gabriel Jesus is likely to begin on the bench with winger Raphinha staying as the starting striker after notching five goals in three games playing out of position.

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“In this moment (Raphinha) is doing really great,” explained Flick.

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“He’s the best option for us at the moment in this position.”

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