Barcelona XI vs Atletico Madrid: Yamal injury latest, confirmed team news, predicted lineup for Copa del Rey | OneFootball

Barcelona are sweating on the fitness of Lamine Yamal ahead of the huge first-leg showdown

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is a doubt for Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg against Atletico Madrid.

The Spain international posted an image of his bloodied sock to social media following the hard fought victory and it remains to be seen if he will be available to feature against Diego Simeone’s side.

Speaking before the first-leg, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick provided an update on Yamal: “We will have to wait, I think he will be able to play. I am positive, although we will have to see what the doctor says.”

With 11 goals and 16 assists in 33 appearances across all competitions to his name so far this season, Yamal is a key player for Barcelona and their hopes of securing a positive first-leg result will be boosted if the teenager is available for selection.

Furthermore, Flick expects Dani Olmo to start after the midfielder climbed off the bench to score Barca’s opener against Las Palmas.

“I think he can be a starter, but it is also more important to say that we have to take care of him,” Flick told reporters. “In a progressive way, it was a very important goal he scored in Las Palmas.”

Fitness boost: Dani Olmo

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As Marc-Andre ter Stegen is not expected to play again this season because of a serious knee injury, Wojciech Szczesny is set to continue in between the posts ahead of Inaki Pena once again.

Given the strength of Atletico, Barcelona will need to deploy their best available back four which consists of Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi and Alejandro Balde.

Flick does have plenty of midfield options at his disposal and could opt to hand a start to Frenkie De Jong alongside Pedri in a double pivot with Dani Olmo operating in the number 10 position.

Assuming Yamal is fine to play, he is likely to keep his place on the right with Raphinha on the opposite flank as Robert Lewandowski leads the line despite Ferran Torres scoring a hat-trick in the last round against former club Valencia.

Predicted Barcelona XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Injured: Ter Stegen, Christensen, Bernal

Doubt: Lamine Yamal

Time and date: 8:30pm GMT on Tuesday, February 25

Venue: Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium

TV channel and live stream: Premier Sports