If Lamine Yamal misses the match against Atlético, what can Flick do?

FC Barcelona may have a very sensitive loss ahead of the Copa del Rey match against Atlético de Madrid. Lamine Yamal trained separately from his teammates on Monday, dedicating his session to the gym. This happened because of the stomp he received against UD Las Palmas, the same one that filled half his sock with blood, as the footballer himself showed in his Instagram stories. His presence is in doubt, but not ruled out, for the first leg of the semi-final.

It is likely that Hansi Flick will choose to rotate some pieces after the great effort made against the 'pio-pio' team in the last matchday. Perhaps, to avoid exposing the wound, the Barça star will remain on the bench, either from the start or the entire match. Assuming he is not in the starting line-up, the German coach will have to decide who would take his place. Although it is not an easy space to fill, the culé squad has the resources to replace the young attacker.

Raphinha or Ferran, the natural substitutes

The Brazilian has generally occupied the right wing throughout his career. He has played 191 games on the right flank. In fact, when he arrived at Barça, he started occupying that position. However, Xavi Hernández found the key last season, placing him on the left, not as a pure winger, but with a certain freedom of movement. More like a playmaker sent to the touchline. Hansi Flick has kept him in that role and the performance of the Porto Alegre native has catapulted to the current version.

However, if necessary, Raphinha could be the substitute for Lamine Yamal. His best performance on the field has not been in his position, but he is a natural option, without having to mobilize other teammates to other places. Another route, which has also developed in that area, is Ferran Torres. The Valencian began his career on the right and it is the position where he has played the most games. Although he currently receives more minutes at the top of the attack or on the left, the former City Zen could occupy his original wing.

Raphinha's statistics as a right winger

• He played 191 games (14 at Vitória Guimarães, 29 at Sporting CP, 24 at Stade Rennes, 55 at Leeds United and 69 at Barça).

• It is the position where he has played the most games (121 as a left winger, 11 as a midfielder, 10 as a right midfielder, 4 as a second striker).

• His breakthrough at Leeds United came on the right.

• He scored 51 goals and gave 40 assists from that side, which generates an average of 0.47 goal contributions per game.

Ferran Torres' statistics as a right winger

• He played 144 games (11 at Valencia Mestalla, 79 at Valencia, 14 at Manchester City, 38 at Barça).

• This is the position where he has played the most games (87 as a left winger and 46 as a centre forward).

• His breakthrough at Valencia came on the right.

• He scored 21 goals and provided 22 assists, which generates an average of 0.29 goal contributions per game.

Dani Olmo and Fermín, two adaptable attacking midfielders

The reality is that the two options mentioned, despite being the natural ones, have not always been the ones chosen by Flick when he has had to replace Lamine. A priori, the Brazilian is the favourite, as he replaced him, from the start, in 3 of the 5 games he has missed this season due to injury. However, another of the routes has been Fermín López. The Andalusian took his place in the match against Real Sociedad. It was the only time in his career that he had to be positioned on the right, while he has occupied the opposite position in 29 matches.

Dani Olmo, on the other hand, has more experience on the right flank. During his time at Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig, he played in that area in 42 matches. It is the third position in which he has played the most matches, behind the attacking midfielder, his natural habitat, and the left winger. So, if Flick opts to keep Raphinha on his natural foot and does not place Ferran on the right either, the player from Terrassa seems the most likely option to fill Yamal's vacancy.

Dani Olmo's statistics as a right winger

• He played 42 games (5 in Dinamo Zagreb's reserve team, 8 in Dinamo Zagreb, 29 in RB Leipzig).

• It is the third position where he has played the most games (146 as an attacking midfielder and 48 as a left winger).

• He scored 6 goals and gave 13 assists, which generates an average of 0.45 goal contributions per game.

Pau Víctor and Pablo Torre, the least expected options

As the last pair of options with proven experience on the right wing, Pau Víctor and Pablo Torre appear. The first is a very versatile footballer, who can develop in any of the attacking positions. Although his position par excellence is centre forward, where he has spent most of his career, he also knows the wings. For his part, the former Racing de Santander player is a pure attacking midfielder, whose work areas are usually the centre. As a right winger he only played in the Copa del Rey, against Barbastro, a match in which he scored one goal and gave two assists. On the other hand, he played 7 games on the left.

Statistics of Pau Víctor as a right winger

• He played 9 games (1 with Girona, 1 with Sabadell, 4 with Barça Atlètic, 3 with Barça).

• It is the third position where he has played the most games (61 as a forward and 21 as a left winger).

• He scored 3 goals and gave 1 assist, which generates an average of 0.44 goal contributions per game.

Hansi Flick will have to make a decision ahead of the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético Madrid. This will depend on Lamine Yamal's feelings and intentions. If the young star does not start, Raphinha will most likely take his place. However, if this is not the case, the most likely candidates are Dani Olmo or Fermín. Gavi, who played 7 games, without goals or assists, could also appear on the right. Only the German coach has the answer.