Barça only needed to win, especially after Real Madrid's defeat against Espanyol. Although by the minimum, the blaugrana team prevailed over Alavés and closed the gap in the fight for the league. After a first half in which the only one trying different things was Lamine Yamal, the players got their act together in the second to pocket the three points.
Lamine's Maradona-like play that's going around the world
Lamine Yamal has already accustomed us to performances worthy of one of the most talented players in the world. However, we must not normalize that, at just 17 years old, he plays with such ease and flair. Today's victim was Deportivo Alavés.
Right at the start of the match, with the first ball he touched, Lamine was already up to his tricks. In a Maradona-like play that quickly went around the world, the winger dribbled past up to 7 opponents. The 42,000 people present at Montjuïc had no choice but to applaud the youth player's action.
Comparisons are odious, but anyone who sees the action is reminded of Leo Messi's unstoppable dribbles. We'll see if he can maintain this level, but in terms of talent, he hasn'thing to envy anyone. Besides the play, Lamine provided the assist to Lewandowski to score the only goal of the match.
Flick praises Lamine: "He's a genius."
Hansi Flick has been reluctant in the first half of the season to excessively praise Lamine Yamal. The coach wants his player to keep his feet on the ground and continue working with humility.
However, after his great match against Alavés, the German coach was full of praise for the young player.
"I don't like comparisons. Lamine is a genius. What he did today in some situations was fantastic. For a 17-year-old player, he performs spectacularly in every match. And many times, they aren't easy opponents to beat."