Lamine Yamal benched as Flick tests Barcelona’s advertised squad depth

Lamine Yamal starts Barcelona’s LaLiga match against Valencia on the bench. The 19-year-old trained separately after suffering a knock, and Hansi Flick has decided not to risk him from the opening whistle. Karim Adeyemi, Raphinha and Anthony Gordon lead the attack at Mestalla.

Barcelona have spent the opening weeks of the season talking about competition and quality throughout the squad. This is the practical examination. Remove the player who usually receives the ball whenever the original plan stops working and see how many alternatives remain.

FLICK TAKES NO UNNECESSARY RISK

Yamal missed Barcelona’s final group training session before the game. Flick explained that the winger had experienced pain after a knock and was therefore asked to work individually. The player insisted he felt well enough to feature, but the coach delayed his decision until matchday.

The Spain international has made the squad and could still be introduced during the second half. However, this is the first time he has been left out of Barcelona’s starting XI this season.

Flick’s caution is understandable. Barcelona begin their Champions League campaign against Feyenoord on Wednesday, and the domestic season is only three games old. Starting a player carrying discomfort simply because the team has grown accustomed to his emergency solutions would be an unnecessary gamble.

ADEYEMI AND GORDON TAKE THE WINGS

Barcelona line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Joan García starts in goal behind Eric García, João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín. Pedri and Marc Bernal form the midfield base, with Fermín López operating further forward.

Adeyemi starts on the right in Yamal’s absence, Gordon plays from the opposite flank and captain Raphinha leads the line. Flick is therefore distributing the attacking responsibility rather than asking one player to imitate everything Yamal provides.

It is also an important opportunity for Adeyemi. His pace and direct running offer Barcelona a different route forward, particularly if Valencia leave space behind their defensive line. Gordon, meanwhile, is trusted to provide width and movement from the left.

GABRIEL JESUS AWAITS HIS DEBUT

Gabriel Jesus is among the substitutes and could make his Barcelona debut. Flick admitted before the match that the Brazilian was not yet at full fitness, although he considered him ready to play limited minutes.

Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Jules Koundé, Alejandro Balde and Andreas Christensen also begin on the bench. Barcelona therefore have several ways to change the game without immediately treating their number 10 as the only available rescue plan.

BARCELONA’S DEPTH FACES A REAL TEST

Leaving Yamal out is not a crisis. It is a sensible precaution and a useful test of the squad Barcelona have assembled. The club have repeatedly highlighted the range of options available to Flick, and a trip to face a Valencia side with one point from three matches should provide an opportunity to prove it.

A convincing display from Adeyemi and Gordon would give Flick more freedom to manage Yamal’s workload. If Barcelona’s attack spends the evening waiting for the teenager to leave the bench, the celebrated squad depth may turn out to be more impressive in presentations than on the pitch.