"You don't have to obsess with this type of player" – Sevilla defender on how he will deal with Lamine Yamal during Barcelona clash
Sevilla defender Adria Pedrosa has opened up on how he will face Lamine Yamal's threat during his team's La Liga away clash against Barcelona on Sunday (October 20).
Yamal, 17, has proved to be one of the most in-form players for the Catalans since the start of the ongoing 2024-25 season. He has netted four goals and laid out five assists in nine La Liga matches so far, helping his boyhood club sit atop the league table with 24 points.
Ahead of Sevilla's trip to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys this Sunday, Pedrosa was asked to share his two cents on the teenager. The 26-year-old left-back replied (h/t GOAL):
"At his age, I have never seen a player like him, so decisive. You don't have to obsess with this type of player, just be focused throughout the match. Don't put more pressure on yourself than you already have. I have faced other great players and I deal with it naturally."
Yamal, who has also scored one goal in two UEFA Champions League outings this season, is allegedly a doubt for Barcelona's next match. He sustained a hamstring injury in Spain's 1-0 UEFA Nations League win against Denmark last Saturday and could be rested this Sunday.
Earlier this July, Yamal shot to stardom after guiding Spain to the UEFA Euro 2024 trophy. The Barcelona wonderkid scored one goal, in the semi-final stage, and laid out four assists in seven tournament games.
Barcelona president slams Spain following Lamine Yamal's recent hamstring problem
Speaking to Barca One, Barcelona president Joan Laporta hit out at Spain national side for overusing Lamine Yamal following the left-footed winger's recent injury. He said (h/t GOAL):
"In the case of Lamine, he is a very skilful player, who suffers many injuries. It was reckless for him to stay for the next match and I didn't like that they tried to convince him to play. We have made arrangements and we must defend our interests. We took action and they understood our approach and that of the player."
Sharing more thoughts on Gavi's injury last year, Laporta added:
"Lamine is young and has a lot of personality and he explained the situation he was in. I forgot to mention that Gavi was [also] injured with the national team. If he hadn't played in the two games, he might not have gotten injured. The good news is that now we have to slow him down. He's going all out in training."
The 17-year-old winger has started nine of his last 10 total appearances for Spain. On the other hand, he has started 10 of his 11 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona so far this campaign.
Gavi, meanwhile, is nursing a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury now. The 20-year-old picked up his injury during Spain's 3-1 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying win against Georgia last November.