The Japan Times - Barca need Yamal at best without Raphinha for Atletico 'trilogy'

The Spanish champions visit Atletico on Saturday as they bid to maintain or even extend their lead at the top of La Liga, before two further games against Diego Simeone's team in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Barca have already faced Atletico three times this season, beating them in La Liga in December but falling in the Copa del Rey semi-final over two legs.

Without Raphinha, out with a hamstring injury until May, the onus will be on 18-year-old winger Yamal to provide the magic Barca need to proceed on two fronts in the approaching inevitably intense battles with Atletico.

Barca hold a four-point lead on Real Madrid, who visit Mallorca earlier on Saturday, at the top of the table.

Yamal played for Spain this week in a goalless draw against Egypt in Cornella at Espanyol's stadium, which was notable for Islamophobic chanting from the home supporters that the teenager, a Muslim, condemned.

"To those who sing these things: using a religion as a form of mockery on a pitch shows you up as ignorant and racist," wrote Yamal on social media.

Yamal has shown maturity beyond his years since bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old, including starring for Spain as they won Euro 2024 and blossoming further still as Barca claimed a domestic treble last season.

The youngster, often compared to another graduate from Barca's La Masia youth academy, Lionel Messi, seems to save his best performances for the biggest occasions.

Yamal netted six times for Barca in his last seven matches across all competitions, and the Catalan giants will hope he can continue that form into the final phase of the season.

He admitted in February that he has not been happy this season, in part due to a long-running groin injury, but lately feels better.

"I have that desire to smile on the pitch that I haven't had for a long time and I'm very happy, now I'm happy playing," said Yamal after scoring the first hat-trick of his career, against Villarreal.

In recent weeks Barca have been dependent on the forward in attack and goalkeeper Joan Garcia at the other end.

Strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have struggled for consistent form, while Marcus Rashford has fallen somewhat out of favour.

Raphinha's injury opens the door for the England international, on loan from Manchester United, to start on the left again.

Yamal's pressing and off-the-ball work is an excellent example for Rashford, who despite his strong contribution in terms of assists, sometimes lacks the relentless energy and focus Flick wants from his forwards.

As well as Raphinha, Barca are also likely to be without Frenkie de Jong at the weekend, but Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde may be able to return after injury.

Simeone's Atletico, fourth by a distance from fifth-place Real Betis, have little to play for in the league but will want to build momentum before Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Camp Nou.

Player to watch: Largie Ramazani

Valencia have risen to mid-table in recent weeks, largely thanks to the form of Belgian forward Ramazani. The 25-year-old, on loan from Premier League side Leeds, has scored five goals in his last nine appearances. Los Che host Celta Vigo on Sunday looking to add to their run of three wins from their last four matches.

Key stats

8 - goals scored from the penalty spot by La Liga's top scorer Kylian Mbappe

25.3 - Average age of Barca squad, the youngest in the league

87 - Elche's Aleix Febas has been fouled more than any other player

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Rayo Vallecano v Elche (1900)

Saturday

Real Sociedad v Levante (1200), Mallorca v Real Madrid (1415), Real Betis v Espanyol (1630), Atletico Madrid v Barcelona (1900)

Sunday

Getafe v Athletic Bilbao (1200), Valencia v Celta Vigo (1415), Real Oviedo v Sevilla (1630), Alaves v Osasuna (1900)

Monday

Girona v Villarreal (1900)

S.Suzuki--JT