Lamine Yamal continues to be talked about in every match. A true superstar of FC Barcelona, the 19-year-old Spanish international attracts all eyes with each of his appearances. And this Saturday, on the pitch of Betis Sevilla, the Blaugrana number 10 was once again the center of all attention. In a completely crazy encounter, the Catalan prodigy first lit up the evening with an exceptional goal to open the scoring. After a devastating dribble, Yamal followed up with a curling shot directly into the top corner. A classy gesture, which made the rounds on social networks, and which quickly set the tone for his performance. Because beyond this sumptuous achievement, the young Spaniard delivered a real technical recital, multiplying the inspirations and the differences with the ball.
Untenable offensively, Lamine Yamal also delivered an assist to Gabriel Jesus and delighted his partners with several brilliant openings. Karim Adeyemi could have benefited from one of his offerings, but the German striker missed his face-to-face meeting. Despite this wasted opportunity, the Barcelona winger constantly weighed on the opposing defense, displaying his full technical palette. An XXL performance logically rewarded with the man of the match trophy. But if Lamine Yamal’s football once again impressed, his behavior was also at the heart of a particularly tense sequence. While Valles criticized Fermín López for staying on the ground after Abde Ez’s goal, an altercation broke out near the sidelines. Lamine Yamal then clashed with Facundo Bernal, provoking a completely disproportionate reaction from the Betis midfielder.
An inevitable exit
After being pushed by the Barcelonan, Facundo Bernal responded causing his expulsion and leaving Manuel Pellegrini’s men outnumbered. A turning point in this meeting which triggered the anger of the La Cartuja public. From then on, Lamine Yamal became the favorite target of Sevillian supporters, heavily whistled at each of his ball catches. On the pitch, the Betis players also increased their aggression towards him, in an increasingly electric atmosphere. A situation which did not escape Hansi Flick. While Barça led 4-2 and seemed to have done the hard part, the German coach preferred to bring out his nugget. A decision intended to avoid at worst an injury, but also a possible reaction of temper which could have cost the Catalans dearly.
Because with the upcoming games against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, FC Barcelona could not afford to lose its best offensive asset. An expulsion could in particular have deprived Lamine Yamal of the next Clásico. At the time of his replacement, Hansi Flick also took the time to chat with his player, in an exchange which looked as much like a warning as a mark of confidence. Asked after the meeting about the release of his colt, the German technician preferred to remember the immense performance of his number 10 rather than the controversy. “We had to replace Lamine, that was obvious. I told him I was proud of him, that he played fantastically. » A clear message to protect its star, who has once again demonstrated that she can change a meeting single-handedly. A few days before two major matches against PSG and Real Madrid, Barça knows that it will need a Lamine Yamal as inspired as against Betis, but capable of keeping his cool in the hottest moments.
