Barcelona Faces Atlético Without Star winger Lamine Yamal
Barcelona faces a crucial La Liga match against Atlético Madrid, a team currently riding an 11-game winning streak across all competitions. Adding to the challenge, Barcelona will be without their rising star, Lamine Yamal, due to an ankle injury.
Yamal’s absence is a significant blow for Barcelona. The 17-year-old winger has been instrumental in their attack, leading the team in key offensive statistics. According to data from State Bomb,Yamal has delivered the most passes into the opponent’s penalty area (41),surpassing raphinha by a considerable margin. He also boasts the highest dribble success rate, averaging three successful dribbles per 90 minutes, outperforming Olmo who averages two despite playing substantially fewer minutes.
Yamal’s contributions extend beyond attacking prowess. SofaScore data reveals he averages 3.4 ball recoveries per game, closely trailing Raphinha’s 3.1. Furthermore, Yamal leads the team with nine assists in La Liga, highlighting his crucial role in creating scoring opportunities.
The young winger’s injury, described by Dr. Pedro Luis Ripoll as a ”slight rupture of the membrane that joins the tibia to the fibula,” is more complex than initially thought. While not considered serious, the re-injury of the same area within a month complicates the recovery process. Barcelona aims for Yamal’s return in three to four weeks, hoping he’ll be fit for the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals in Saudi Arabia on January 8th.
Coach Hansi Flick faces a tactical puzzle in Yamal’s absence. He must find a suitable replacement for the crucial role the young winger plays in Barcelona’s attack.
Flick has experimented with various formations in previous matches without Yamal. Against Osasuna, Ferran Torres, Lewandowski, and Pau Víctor formed the attacking trio. In the match against Anoeta, Fermín partnered with Raphinha and Lewandowski, while Dani Olmo replaced Yamal against Vigo, with Raphinha shifted to the right flank.
Against Brest, the only game Barcelona won without Yamal, Fermín started alongside Lewandowski and Raphinha on the right, with Olmo completing the midfield triangle.
For the Atlético clash, Flick is considering two primary options. One involves deploying Raphinha on the right, Lewandowski as the central striker, and Fermín López on the left, with Gavi anchoring the midfield trio alongside Pedri and Casadó.
Alternatively, Flick could replicate the Brest formation, with Olmo replacing Gavi in midfield.Sources indicate that Raphinha’s position on the right flank is certain.
Irrespective of the chosen formation, replacing Yamal’s unique blend of creativity, dribbling skills, and playmaking ability will be a significant challenge for Barcelona against a formidable Atlético Madrid side.
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