Barcelona breezed past Real Betis, but did the match provide a glimpse of the next step in Lamine Yamal’s evolution as a footballer?
Hansi Flick’s team were 4-1 up by half-time, propelled by a Ferran Torres hat-trick and summer signing Roony Bardghji’s first Barca goal, and eventually won 5-3 to complete a fine week.
They beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 four days earlier in another convincing performance and remain established at the top of La Liga’s table after 16 games.
Flick had plenty to feel excited about in Seville, with Yamal’s new position particularly eye-catching. The German manager opted to start the 18-year-old as a central attacking midfielder, rather than in his usual spot wide on the right. This is the role that Lionel Messi used to play during his years at Barcelona.
Barca had a selection issue in the No 10 role. Raphinha could not take part in the last training session of the week due to a minor discomfort in his hamstring. The Brazil star was the likeliest candidate to take over as the attacking midfielder, given Dani Olmo, the usual starter, picked up a shoulder injury and will be sidelined for a month.
Fermin Lopez would be the backup option, but the 21-year-old has just returned from a calf injury and was not fit enough to start. Flick had a decision to make — he went for Yamal.
“I spoke with Lamine about the new position,” the German manager said after the game. “We came up with the idea with the coaching staff, and then we asked him if he could envisage himself playing as a No 10. He said yes, that he liked it, so we went ahead and tried it.”
Placing Yamal in the middle against Betis opened up a spot on the right, which Bardghji was the beneficiary of.
The Sweden international was another bright spot. The 20-year-old’s performance was excellent, involved in three goals at La Cartuja and getting himself off the mark. His connection with Yamal was exceptional and was highlighted by Flick.
“I enjoyed everything I saw. The connection between Lamine and Roony was very good,” said the 60-year-old. “The plan worked out, and from now on, we have one or two more options to use in those positions”.
Yamal was unstoppable in his new role, where he played for 68 minutes. He ended the game with 79 touches, the third most in the game, but in the first half, he did not misplace one single pass, completing all 28. He set up Ferran’s first goal, launched the moves for the fourth, and topped off the night by scoring the fifth from the penalty spot.
In Yamal playing as a 10, Flick found an easy way to dismantle Betis’ high-press.
His individual talent was impossible to contain, as shown below when the 18-year-old is about to receive a pass from Jules Kounde in the build-up. Three Betis players were watching him.
With a body feint, control and a burst of pace, Yamal runs past all of them. Sergi Altimira had to foul him to avoid the counter, received a yellow card, and Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini had to substitute him at half-time.
The connection with Pedri and Eric Garcia, who were shielding him in midfield, was seamless, too. But Flick wanted to highlight one particular aspect in Yamal’s game: his defensive contribution.
Often in the spotlight for his lack of pressing, especially with Barca impressing in that department since the start of the season, Yamal earned the praise of his manager.
“One of the most important things was that I saw multiple actions of Yamal being very active in defence and getting the possession back,” said Flick. “It was amazing and exactly what I wanted to see.”
Yamal registered seven ball recoveries against Betis. Below shows the most significant example, as Antony passes the ball to Pablo Fornals to counter-attack. Yamal starts tracking his way back…
… and takes the ball away from Fornals.
This was Flick’s reaction on the touchline.
“He keeps growing and improving. What I can say is that Yamal is a fantastic professional,” said Flick.
Barcelona will take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Tuesday, a game in which Raphinha is expected to be ready to start and even take the No 10 spot, but should he?
Yamal moving into a more central role has been an option for a while at Barcelona. During his time in their La Masia academy, he was often used as a false nine or an attacking midfielder.
A source from Barcelona’s academy, who was speaking on condition of anonymity to protect relationships and who managed Yamal, was not surprised by Flick’s choice.
“He is totally ready for it. Given his background in La Masia and how good Yamal’s decision-making is, he is too good a talent not to use in the inside pockets, where you can really hurt opponents,” the source said.
“I guess there was an element of needing him to grow into the team and respect the other profiles of players in the squad. But I have no doubts: he is equipped to be great in there, too.”
In his first professional appearance in the position, he started to prove it.
