After the match against Betis, camel.live published an article analyzing the position of Barcelona attacker Lamine Yamal. Thanks to the player’s outstanding performance in the attacking midfielder role in this game, it has given coach Hansi Flick more tactical options.
The article reads as follows:
Though a makeshift arrangement, the experiment of deploying Yamal as an attacking midfielder against Betis was highly successful. Whether due to tactical developments in the game, inspiration, or simply his ability to read the match, Yamal delivered an exceptional performance.
Beyond his penalty goal, his stats are remarkable: 4 chances created, 4 dribbles completed, 16 successful passes in the opposition half... Yamal always found the right teammate. He not only generously created opportunities for his colleagues but also actively participated in defense.
He was the team's top tackler with 7 interceptions, surpassing Pedri (4), Kubarsi (3), and Martín (3) – a point Flick emphasized specifically after the game. For the defensive system Flick has built at Barcelona, the attacking midfielder role is crucial, and Yamal fully understood this, showcasing impressive defensive figures in the match.
This game offered a glimpse of Yamal’s potential future. Some once imagined he would play as a false nine like Messi, but at the Benito Villamarín Stadium, he resembled a traditional attacking midfielder, dropping slightly to receive the ball and initiate attacks. He often dribbled forward, predominantly favoring the right side, and Bardghji perfectly understood his intentions, creating space accordingly.
Barcelona had previously grown accustomed to other types of players (such as Fermín, Olmo, Dro, or Gavi), but Yamal has changed the team’s style of play. The team operated flexibly under his leadership, with the 18-year-old Lamine remaining an explosive winger who possesses one of the most valuable traits in modern football: the ability to disrupt opposing defenses.
However, Yamal’s performance in the central areas has given Flick more options. By deploying him in the middle, Flick may have acquired a powerful attacking weapon. Opponents have already begun to intensify their marking on Yamal, even formulating game plans to restrict his influence on the wings and then exploiting the gaps he leaves to attack Barcelona.
But if Yamal operates in the center, the team may achieve better defensive balance. More importantly, it provides a new approach to attack. This is another side of Yamal, and we will wait to see how he develops.
