Real Sociedad coach Sergio Francisco praised Lamine Yamal, calling him the best player in the world, after the Barcelona forward returned from injury and assisted in the winning goal in Sunday’s match between the two teams. Yamal, 18, missed the last four Barça matches due to a groin problem, but came on from the bench against Real Sociedad and, within a minute, assisted Robert Lewandowski so that the Catalans won 2-1 and went top of LaLiga.
The Real Sociedad coach also added:Lamine’s mere presence on the field is a threat. He’s very difficult to stop, even with fresh players from the bench to defend him.
Sergio Francisco
Real Sociedad had taken the lead in the first half at the Olympic Stadium thanks to Álvaro Odriozola, but Jules Koundé equalized for Barça just before halftime after a corner by Marcus Rashford. The Barça coach, Hansi Flick, brought Yamal on in the 58th minute to the delight of the home fans. In the 59th minute, the teenager beat his defender and crossed for Lewandowski to head in his fourth goal of the season. Yamal thought he had scored his own goal minutes later, but his shot was disallowed for a marginal offside.It’s great to see him play. He showed again that he is probably the best in the world. His entry from the bench decided the match.
Sergio Francisco
Yamal’s reappearance came at the end of a week in which he finished second, behind Ousmane Dembélé, in the Ballon d’Or and took home the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best under-21 player in the world, at a gala in Paris. He showed the Kopa Trophy on the field before the match, and Flick said that he will now focus on surpassing himself in next year’s Ballon d’Or.I’m happy to have him back, we all are. He directly showed the outstanding strength he has, to create opportunities, to give the final pass. It’s good to have him back.
Hansi Flick
The Barça remains undefeated in seven league games this season, winning six and drawing one, and Sunday’s victory put them ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the table after Los Blancos were defeated by Atletico Madrid on Saturday.It’s a decision we can’t change, but Lamine has another chance next year. He will try. For every player, it’s something important, to be one of these guys who can win this trophy. And, of course, we have many players in this team who can win this trophy.
Hansi Flick
The victory on Sunday was also notable for the debut as a starter of Dro Fernández, a 17-year-old attacking midfielder to whom Flick gave a surprising starting position.It’s good to have this. It puts some pressure on the rivals, Real and everyone behind us. Now we have to defend this position.
Hansi Flick
I am so happy, so happy. It’s incredible. When they told me I was going to be a starter, at first I didn’t believe it, but I managed to calm down. The other players and the coach helped me. They told me to do what I do in training and that gave me some confidence.
Dro Fernández
