Barcelona Eyes Comeback Timeline as Lamine Yamal Races Back from Injury

Barcelona remain optimistic about having Lamine Yamal available for action significantly ahead of their clash with Real Madrid scheduled for later this month, according to recent reports.

A recurrence of a groin problem forced Yamal back onto the injury list at the end of last week, with Barcelona stating the talented winger would require approximately two to three weeks for full recovery. This recovery period would create minimal concerns regarding El Clásico on Oct. 26.

However, just 24 hours after this announcement, coach Hansi Flick addressed the media to suggest that establishing a definitive timeline for Yamal's return was not feasible and acknowledged uncertainty about the player's availability for the Madrid fixture.

These worries, as reported by MARCA, are not echoed by Barcelona's medical staff. There is not only optimism that Yamal will be ready for El Clásico, but also speculation he might return even sooner than expected.

The domestic fixture against Girona on Oct. 18 is being considered as a potential comeback date for Yamal, who missed the devastating 4–1 defeat to Sevilla prior to the international break.

Yamal is unlikely to feature for the complete 90 minutes against Girona, but the strategy involves gradually increasing the young star's playing time. Olympiacos visit the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium three days afterward in Champions League action, followed by another five-day gap before the Clásico encounter with Madrid.

Injury concerns have plagued Barcelona in recent periods. Beyond Yamal, Flick was missing Raphinha, Fermín López, Gavi and Joan García for the Sevilla match, while long-term casualty Marc-André ter Stegen remained unavailable.

Fermín and Raphinha are anticipated to return alongside Yamal following the international break, though questions remain about García's participation in El Clásico. A rapid recovery from his knee problem might create possibilities, but the summer acquisition is likely to require additional time away from competition.

Gavi, on the other hand, will remain sidelined until February following knee surgery.