League leaders Barcelona face a critical test as they travel to Celta Vigo without teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who has been pivotal to their attacking structure. With two of their LaLiga defeats this season coinciding with Yamal’s absence from the starting lineup, coach Hansi Flick must craft an effective plan to navigate this challenge.
The 17-year-old winger has become indispensable, combining skill, speed, and creativity to bolster Barcelona’s offense. However, an ankle injury sidelines him for Saturday's encounter in Galicia, leaving Flick to devise a “Plan B” for a fixture where Barcelona has historically struggled.
Yamal’s impact on Barcelona's campaign has been profound. Rested during September's 4-2 loss to Osasuna, Yamal's late substitute appearance and a stunning goal underscored his value. Since then, he had started every league game until injury kept him out of the 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad before the international break.
In San Sebastian, Barcelona’s attack faltered without Yamal. Flick’s decision to deploy Raphinha on the left and Fermin Lopez out of position on the right failed to yield results. Despite scoring 40 goals in the 12 league matches prior, Barcelona struggled to create meaningful opportunities in Yamal’s absence.
“Of course, a player with the quality Lamine has, every team (would) miss it,” Flick admitted post-match. “In the last third, we weren’t making the right decisions.”
The return of Dani Olmo offers a potential solution. The versatile playmaker can enhance Barcelona's creativity in the final third, providing Robert Lewandowski, LaLiga’s top scorer with 14 goals, the service he thrives on. Notably, Lewandowski has failed to score in both games Yamal did not start, highlighting the teenager's crucial role in Barcelona’s attacking interplay.
Flick may also consider shifting Olmo to the left, placing Raphinha on the right, and introducing Pablo Torre in a central attacking role. Alternatively, Pau Víctor could be given an opportunity to fill the void left by Yamal.
With Ferran Torres unavailable due to injury, the options are limited but not devoid of potential. The challenge lies in maintaining the dynamism and incisiveness that Yamal brings, particularly on counter-attacks, where his link-up play with Raphinha has been devastating.
Celta Vigo, currently 11th in the standings, present a formidable challenge, especially at Balaídos—a venue where Barcelona has managed just two wins in their last nine visits. Celta’s lineup includes former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso, who sees the match as an opportunity to disrupt the league leaders.
“We’ve shown in previous games against big sides that we can compete, but we haven’t managed to take a good result,” Alonso said.
Celta came close to upsetting Real Madrid in October but narrowly lost 2-1, showcasing their ability to trouble top-tier teams. A win for Barcelona would temporarily extend their lead over Real Madrid to nine points, adding extra motivation for Flick’s side.
Beyond Barcelona's clash, Atletico Madrid host Alaves as they look to maintain pressure at the top of the table, while Valencia faces Real Betis in an emotional encounter following devastating floods in the region.
Meanwhile, all eyes will also be on Kylian Mbappé as Real Madrid visits Leganes on Sunday. The French forward, under scrutiny for his recent goal drought, aims to silence critics and reignite his form.
For Barcelona, Saturday’s fixture is about more than points—it’s an opportunity to demonstrate their adaptability without their teenage prodigy. If they succeed, it will underscore their credentials as genuine title contenders, even amid adversity.
