“The truth is he’s spectacular” - Carlo Ancelotti speaks up on plans to 'stop' Lamine Yamal ahead of Real Madrid clash with rivals Barcelona
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has opened up on his plans to stop Barcelona star Lamine Yamal ahead of El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday (October 26). Yamal is one of the most prominent forwards of the Catalan side, with five goals and seven assists in 13 appearances for the club this season.
Rising from the ranks of Barcelona's academy, La Masia, Yamal made his senior-team debut in April 2023. In 64 appearances for La Blaugrana, he has recorded 12 goals and 16 assists. The 17-year-old has faced Real Madrid thrice in his career all of which came last season. Barca lost all three games and Yamal is yet to score or assist against Los Blancos.
In the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's clash, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti shared his tactics on stopping Lamine Yamal in El Clasico. He said (via Madrid Zone):
"Plans to stop Lamine Yamal? The truth is he’s spectacular. I love his play style and his attitude. He’s very dangerous. You can’t focus on just one player, there’s a lot of players in Barcelona playing really well.”
The upcoming El Clasico is of greater significance than usual for both sides. Real Madrid are currently 42-games-unbeaten in the league. A win or draw in the Clasico could see them equaling Barca's record of going 43-games-unbeaten in LaLiga between 2017 and 2018.
Meanwhile, Barcelona sit atop the LaLiga table with 27 points, three points ahead of their archrivals. They have lost their last four El Clasicos and will be desperate to secure three crucial points over the weekend.
"My first Clasico was full of tension" - Barcelona star Lamine Yamal recalls his first Clasico ahead of facing Real Madrid in LaLiga
In an interview with LaLiga TV this week, Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal recalled his first time playing against Real Madrid. He said (via Barca Universal):
"My first Clasico was full of tension. I had never felt nervous before but seeing the rival players made me realise the magnitude of the match, but then I got into the game."
It will be interesting to see how Hansi Flick uses Lamine Yamal against the Merengues on Saturday. The Spaniard has primarily played as a right-winger in LaLiga, so it can be presumed that he will be up against left-back Ferland Mendy. The La Masia graduate has a reputation of being a master of operating in tight spaces.
Yamal will have to be at his best for being up against Los Blancos' aggressive pressing spearheaded by stalwarts like Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao. The 17-year-old is also known for his exceptional dribbling abilities and immaculate ball control.