Yamal Drives Barça: Decisive Assist and Leadership in LaLiga

Sergio Francisco praises Lamine Yamal after Barcelona’s victory

Real Sociedad coach Sergio Francisco praised Lamine Yamal, calling him the best player in the world, after the Barcelona forward returned from injury to assist the winning goal in Sunday’s match between the two teams. Yamal, 18 years old, had missed Barça’s last four matches due to a groin injury, but he came on from the bench against Real Sociedad and, within a minute, assisted Robert Lewandowski, allowing the Catalans to win 2-1 and climb to the top of LaLiga.

“Lamine’s mere presence on the field is a threat. It’s very difficult to stop him, even bringing fresh players from the bench to defend him. It’s great to watch him play. He proved again that he is very likely the best in the world. His entry from the bench decided the match.”

Sergio Francisco

La Real Sociedad had taken the lead in the score 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.

“I’m happy to have him back, we all are. He directly demonstrated the exceptional strength he has, to create opportunities, to give the final pass. It’s good to have him back.”

Hansi Flick

Yamal’s reappearance came at the end of a week in which he finished second 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.

Lamine Yamal celebrates after assisting a goal for Barcelona to Robert Lewandowski. The Barça remains unbeaten in seven league games this season, with six wins and a draw, and Sunday’s victory put them ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the table after the Whites were defeated by Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

“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

Sunday’s victory was also notable for the debut as a starter of Dro Fernández, a 17-year-old attacking midfielder to whom Flick gave a surprising start. “I am very happy, very 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 told reporters.