Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has pleaded for players to be given better protection after Lamine Yamal complained about the treatment that he received at the weekend.
Yamal took to social media following Saturday's 2-0 away win over Las Palmas to share his frustration over some of the rough treatment that he received during the game.
The Barcelona winger posted an image of a blood-soaked sock on his left foot, raising concerns about whether he will be fit for Tuesday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Flick is hopeful that Yamal will be available to take his place in the side for the crucial cup meeting at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
"We have to wait and see (on Yamal)," Flick told reporters on Monday. "I think he will be able to play, I have a positive feeling."
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Flick makes plea for better protection
While Yamal could be fit for Wednesday's clash, Flick has said that referees need to do more to protect players from hard tackles on the pitch.
"We can't say that Lamine or certain players are specially protected, it should be for everyone," the Barcelona boss said. "If they don't get yellow cards, hard fouls keep being repeated.
"We have to protect them, I think it's the sensible thing to do. Not just some special players, but all of them.
"In Spain we all like to see the one-v-ones, to see those footballers who are capable of getting past the defenders, they have to be protected."
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Is there evidence to support Flick's plea?
Yamal has certainly been on the receiving end of some rough treatment this season, demonstrated by the fact that he features in the top 10 for the most fouls drawn in La Liga.
As per FBref, the Spain international has been fouled 43 in the Spanish top-flight this season, leaving him in joint seventh place for most fouls drawn alongside Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham.
The Englishman's Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior is in second place, having been fouled 50 times in La Liga this season.
Meanwhile, Getafe's Christantus Uche is currently the most fouled player in La Liga after drawing 51 fouls across his 24 league appearances during 2024-25.
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