ANDl debate in Barcelona is a reality. The proper name, at the moment, among the Barça fans is that of Lamine Yamal. He was also in the press room after the draw in Son Moix. And is not for less. The youth squad came out in the 65th minute and revolutionized Barça’s attack.
He created the game for the tying goal at the beginning and was a constant danger due to his excess and audacity. Still, the kid played his fourth consecutive game as a reserve.
“You have to take care of him, he is too young to still burn him. You have to be very careful with him”. This phase advocating for the prudence of Xavi Hernandez in the press room after the clash in Mallorca agrees with that decision to leave Lamine in a secondary role, in the second parts.
That young age – he only has 16 years– and the fact of taking his first steps in the first team support this idea of leaving the initial responsibility for the Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Joao Felix, among others. The discourse from within the club also goes along those lines. They remember that before the national team break, when Lamine was collecting starts, Raphinha was serving a suspension, Joao Félix was a newcomer and Ferran had not yet started his current scoring production.
Undisputed before the break
So, Lamine started against Cádiz, Villarreal and Osasuna. Two of the three away games, in difficult fields such as La Cerámica and El Sadar. At that time, the debate was completely opposite: should such a young boy always play as a starter? This is how Xavi remembered it just before the Betis clash: “What about Lamine is curious because three weeks ago you told me that I didn’t dare to put him on and now you tell me that he should rest”.
From undisputed starter to regular substitute. From one place to another, Lamine continues to be differential. The footballer with the most overflow of the entire attacking front. His first year on Xavi’s team oscillates between giving him stripes and not clipping his wings or removing him from the spotlight and giving him prominence in the appropriate doses. Which is the right way?