Breaking: Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal named on the bench for La Liga clash against Osasuna

Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal has been excluded from the team’s starting XI that will face Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday, September 28. This will come as a surprise to all Barcelona fans, as the academy graduate has proved to be a linchpin in their team this season.

Hansi Flick’s men will be in action at the El Sadar Stadium as they look to maintain their perfect start to the 2024-25 La Liga campaign, having won all seven of their league games so far. A win tonight will see them match their best ever start to a La Liga season, which was achieved under Tata Martino in 2013/14. However, they will attempt to do so against Osasuna without the services of Lamine Yamal from the start.

Yamal has started all eight of Barcelona’s matches this season and currently tops La Liga's assists charts with five.

Inaki Pena starts between the sticks for La Blaugrana. Jules Konde, Sergi Domínguez, Pau Cubarsi, and Gerard Martin form the back four. Pablo Torre, Eric Garcia, and Pedri will play in midfield while Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, and Pau Victor will spearhead the attack for Barca.

Barca will face Young Boys at home in the Champions League on Tuesday (October 1). Hansi Flick could have taken the decision to rest Yamal with one eye on the European encounter, especially after his side lost their first match against Monaco. It is also worth noting that the Yamal was limping after the match against Getafe due to bruising on his ankle.

Hansi Flick explains the reason for Lamine Yamal's role change in Barcelona 1-0 win against Getafe

In Barcelona’s 1-0 win against Getafe on Wednesday (September 25), Lamine Yamal was moved a bit more centrally from his usual starting position on the right flank. Manager Hansi Flick explained the reason behind the changes. He said (via Barca Universal);

“He likes to play on the flanks and open, but in our game plan we knew that it would be very difficult to play down there and we showed them how to occupy the centre space. That’s why he played on the inside in some phases.”

The German manager also said that it is the duty of the referees to protect Yamal when he was asked about him being targeted by opposition defenders.

“Protecting Lamine? That’s what the referees are for.”