Introduction to Lamine Yamal’s Performance
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — After witnessing from the touchline how Lamine Yamal pushed his Inter Milan lineup to the limit, Simone Inzaghi said talents like the Barcelona teenager come around only once in a half century.
“He’s the kind of talent who is born every 50 years, I had never seen him live and he really impressed me today,” the Inter coach said after Yamal helped Barcelona rally in a scintillating 3-3 draw Wednesday to start their Champions League semifinal series.
“He’s special. I’ve said it before, but he’s a genius,” Flick said. “In the big matches, he shows up, and I think he enjoyed the situation. I’m really happy that this talent, if it only comes every 50 years like Simone said, I’m glad it’s for Barcelona.”
Praise from Coaches and Players
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick described his 17-year-old player as “a genius" after Yamal put on his latest talent show in his 100th game for the club’s senior squad.
“Lamine Yamal caused us so many problems in the last 25 minutes of the first half.”
Yamal’s Performance Against Inter Milan
Yamal dismissed any comparison to Lionel Messi in his first press conference for his club a day before Inter came to town. But his performance recalled the best days of Messi as his teammates fed him passes and let him pick Inter apart from the right flank. Each time he had the ball he was either searching for a teammate in scoring position or dipping his head and dribbling past his marker.
His goal was one for the YouTube compilations.
Goals and Highlights
Inter had a 2-0 lead and the momentum from goals by Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, and it appeared like they’d left Yamal with nowhere to go in the 24th. But he slipped around one defender, sped past a second, and then, putting the ball on his left foot, he curled a shot past the turning heads of at least two more Inter players. The ball smacked the far post and was cradled in the net.
That goal made Yamal — at 17 years, 291 days — the youngest scorer in a Champions League semifinal.
Reaction from Football Community
“The whole world can see what a good footballer he is. He’s a player who shines,” Inter midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan said. “We tried to stop him, but that was so difficult because he’s got great talent. I hope we don’t let him play this much next week.”
Hungry for More
Yamal said he appreciated the praise but just wanted to focus on the next match with a European Cup just two wins away.
“I am happy to have helped the team, and now we need to go for more,” he said. “We knew we could have won the game but now we are just focused on the second leg and going through.”
Conclusion
Lamine Yamal’s performance against Inter Milan has been widely praised by coaches, players, and fans alike. His talent and skill on the field are undeniable, and he has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Barcelona team.
FAQs
Q: How old is Lamine Yamal?
A: Lamine Yamal is 17 years old.
Q: What was the score of the Champions League semifinal match between Barcelona and Inter Milan?
A: The match ended in a 3-3 draw.
Q: Who praised Lamine Yamal’s performance?
A: Inter coach Simone Inzaghi and Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised Yamal’s performance, among others.
Q: What is Lamine Yamal’s position on the field?
A: Lamine Yamal plays on the right flank.
Q: What is the next step for Barcelona in the Champions League?
A: Barcelona will play the second leg of the semifinal series against Inter Milan.
