Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham are among several players on the verge of suspension when the UEFA Champions League returns with the last 16. The tournament resumes after the playoff phase, leaving 16 teams fighting for the title. However, the yellow card rule is causing concern for many clubs. A total of 51 players in the competition are just one yellow card away from missing a match.For FC Barcelona, teenage star Yamal is one of the players who could soon face a suspension. The winger already has four yellow cards in the competition. If he receives another booking in Barcelona’s next clash against Newcastle United, he would miss the second leg of the round of 16. Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham is also on the brink of suspension, although an injury has ruled him out for the first leg.
Several players from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid close to UEFA champions league suspensions
Lamine Yamal’s disciplinary file has already affected him once this season. The 18-year-old attacker previously served a one-match suspension after receiving his third yellow card during the league phase of the competition. Now with four yellow cards, another yellow card would mean he will have to miss Barcelona’s next Champions League match.Barcelona has several other players facing a similar situation. Fermín López, Gerard Martín and Marc Casado are also one warning away from suspension. All four players could play in the first leg of the round of 16 at St. James’ Park.Real Madrid has its own concerns ahead of the tie against Manchester City. Bellingham currently has two yellow cards in the competition, meaning one more would lead to a suspension. However, the English midfielder will not play in the first leg as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in the La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano.Other Madrid players are also at risk. Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni and Dean Huijsen could miss the second leg if they receive yellow cards in the first game against Manchester City.Two other players, Álvaro Carreras and Rodrygo, are also on the verge of suspension. However, both players are currently unavailable for the first leg due to injuries.During the Champions League phase, Barcelona finished fifth in the standings with 16 points from eight games. Real Madrid finished ninth in the table with 15 points after losing three games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Benfica before beating Benfica in the playoff round.
