“Easy peasy!” - Steve McManaman tells France how they can stop Lamine Yamal during Euro 2024 semi-final vs Spain
Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman has told France as to how they can stop Lamine Yamal during their Euro 2024 semi-final against Spain tonight (July 9). The young Barcelona winger has been a threat all tournament, contributing with three assists in five appearances.
With the youngster a sure problem for left-back Theo Hernandez, McManaman thinks the perfect way to deal with him is to let the winger come inside. He believes that the likes of N'Golo Kante and Adrien Rabiot must sit deep to provide cover when Yamal shapes inside.
Speaking about this on ESPN, McManaman said:
"Yes, I have (loved watching Yamal and Williams), but they're against Theo Hernandez, who has had a good tournament, and Jules Jounde, who has struggled at times, but he's very experienced.
"That defence of France hasn't been breached often, so I as much as I love the fact that these two young boys in the Spanish team are very direct, positive, and want to attack, it will still be a tough game for them."
He added:
"Kante and Rabiot will sit, it won't be as open and they won't be able to cut through them as often. It will be interesting to see Lamine Yamal against Theo Hernandez because he's been very aggressive and wants to go forward. And if he does that, Yamal will have to follow him because you don't want Hernandez and Mbappe doubling up on Jesus Navas.
"It's going to be a tactical affair, a chess match in itself on who overcomes the other. Show him inside where you have bodies, where your friends are. If Yamal is running at you, just show him inside and don't let him go around the outside. If you show him inside, Kante will be there, Rabiot will be there to help you out. Easy peasy!"
To date, Yamal has made 12 appearances across competitions for Spain, bagging two goals and seven assists.
Jules Kounde lavishes praise on Lamine Yamal ahead of Euro 2024 semi-final
Jules Kounde will be coming up against his teenage Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal when France face off against Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 tonight.
The pair have shared the pitch on 46 occasions across competitions for the Blaugrana, bagging one joint goal contribution. Speaking about Yamal, Kounde said (via Barca Blaugranes):
"He is incredible. I think to have had a season like his at such a young age and with all the expectations and pressure that he has, it's really incredible."
However, with Kounde set to play at right-back, he will be up against Nico Williams, who operates on Spain's left-hand side at Euro 2024. Yamal scored five goals and assisted in eight in La Liga last season.