Barcelona's recent struggles in La Liga have been compounded by a fresh injury blow to their young star, Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old winger, who has been a pivotal figure for the team since his emergence in 2023, sustained an ankle injury during Barcelona's unexpected 1-0 defeat to CD Leganés on December 15, 2024.
This loss at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was not only a setback in terms of points but also a major hit to the team's morale and lineup.
Yamal, who had been instrumental in Barcelona's early-season successes, was forced off the pitch in the 75th minute after enduring a harsh tackle from Leganés' player Neyou. Despite his efforts to continue playing, the injury proved too severe, leading to his substitution by Gavi.
Subsequent medical tests revealed that Yamal suffered a grade 1 injury to the anterior tibiofibular ligament, sidelining him for an estimated three to four weeks. This development is particularly concerning for Barcelona, given Yamal's influence on the field and his recent accolades, including finishing eighth in the Ballon d'Or voting, winning the Kopa Trophy, and being named the Golden Boy 2024.
The timing of Yamal's injury could not be worse for Barcelona, as they are currently experiencing their worst run in La Liga since Ronald Koeman's sacking in 2021. Under the management of Hansi Flick, the team had a promising start to the season, but recent performances have been lackluster.
In their last six La Liga matches, Barcelona has managed only one win, two draws, and three defeats, accumulating just five out of a possible 18 points. This slump has seen their once-comfortable lead at the top of the table shrink, with Atlético Madrid now level on points and Real Madrid just one point behind, both having a game in hand.
The absence of Yamal is expected to exacerbate these challenges. His creativity and attacking prowess have been crucial for Barcelona, and without him, the team has struggled to find rhythm and consistency. This was evident in their recent 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas, where the lack of Yamal's presence was felt as the team failed to capitalize on key opportunities and succumbed to defensive lapses.
Barcelona's upcoming fixtures present further challenges. They are set to face Atlético Madrid, a team in formidable form under Diego Simeone, having lost only once in the league this season.
Additionally, Barcelona will compete against Athletic Club in the Supercopa semi-final on January 8, 2025, and will be without Yamal for their next Copa del Rey fixture against fourth-tier Barbastro. While the latter match might seem manageable, the current form of the team suggests that no game can be taken lightly.
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