Flick will 'protect' Barca teen star Yamal

BARCELONA:

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday he will "protect" teenage star Lamine Yamal after recent criticism.

The 18-year-old winger struggled in the Clasico last weekend as champions Barca fell to a defeat that left them five points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

Yamal was also in the spotlight for comments before the game insinuating Madrid "steal (and) complain" which riled Los Blancos fans and a big part of the Spanish media.

"We speak with him... we are very honest together, he with me and I with him and this is the best way," Flick told a news conference ahead of Barca's match against Elche on Sunday in La Liga.

"I will always protect him and support him. He's a fantastic player, fantastic guy, he's very young and we will go on this way."

Yamal has been struggling with a groin injury for a few weeks and although he started the Clasico, he put in a subdued performance and still seems affected by the issue.

"Lamine is good. I just spoke with him and he's doing good," continued Flick.

"Of course he has some days where he feels some pain but now he really works hard, he improve a lot about these things. He's on a good evolution so this is what we can say."

The German coach said Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo were available again after injury, while Barca are still without Pedri Gonzalez, Gavi and Joan Garcia among others.

Flick explained veteran striker Lewandowski and playmaker Olmo's returns had helped raise the quality in training.

"What I can see now with Dani and also with Lewy back, the last two training (sessions) were very good," added Flick.

"It's not just that they increase the level and quality, but that the others are increasing their level, also the young players. It's nice to see and hopefully we can show it tomorrow."

The Catlans host Elche at the Olympic Stadium, with the promoted side coached by Eder Sarabia, who was a former Barca assistant coach under Quique Setien.

Elche are in mid-table after a strong start to the season, having suffered only two defeats, and Flick said they play "fantastic football".

Barcelona to show off unfinished Camp Nou with public training session

After two years in exile as the Camp Nou was renovated, Barcelona will return to the stadium for a public training session on November 7, the club announced Friday. 

Capacity for the event will be limited to 23,000, less than a quarter of the 105,000 the stadium is expected to hold once the heavily-delayed construction is completed.

"The FC Barcelona men's football first team will officially return to the Spotify Camp Nou next Friday, November 7, to hold an open training session in front of the Barca fan," the club said on its website.

Tickets will cost five euros (5.77 dollars) for club members and 10 euros for the general public, with proceeds going to a club charity for sick children, said Barcelona.

More than two years since the start of renovation works, the famous stadium is still not ready to host matches, even with a reduced capacity.

"This session will also serve as a technical and operational test to ensure the proper functioning of systems, access points, various aspects of the facility, as part of the stadium's gradual reopening process," said the club.

The city's fire department has raised concerns over evacuation routes, among other safety issues.