Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez has stated that his team will attempt to stop Lamine Yamal and Barcelona by defending intensely and making them uncomfortable. The two sides are set to clash in LaLiga on Thursday, April 15, at the RCDE Stadium.
A victory in the Catalan derby will crown Barcelona LaLiga champions for the 2024-25 season. La Blaugrana head into the tie high on confidence following a 4-3 triumph over rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico last Sunday (May 11).
Lamine Yamal had another outstanding game as he scored his side’s second goal in the win over Los Blancos. The 17-year-old has been a thorn in the flesh of defenders and is Barca’s chief creator this season, with seven goals and 14 assists in 32 league matches.
Speaking ahead of the derby on Thursday, Gonzalez was asked how he plans to stop the in-form Yamal and his teammates. He claimed that his team would defend and run a lot to stifle Flick’s side, just like they did against Real Madrid. Espanyol defeated Carlo Ancelotti’s side 1-0 in February.
It’s pertinent to note that Espanyol are winless in their last 27 league meetings with Barcelona, with the latter winning three of their last five encounters. Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, got an assist when the two sides met earlier in the season, with the match ending 3-1 in Barca’s favour.
Barca could also clinch the title before taking to the pitch if Real Madrid fail to beat Mallorca in their ongoing fixture.
Former Spain and Barcelona striker David Villa has tipped Lamine Yamal to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or someday. Villa lauded Yamal’s performances this season and named him a favorite for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Villa said (via Barca Universal):
Villa also praised Yamal for handling the pressure that comes with playing for a big club like Barcelona. He urged people close to the youngster to give him all the support he would need whenever he eventually has a bad spell, which Villa claimed is inevitable.
Lamine Yamal has been one of Barcelona’s outstanding performers this season. He has recorded 16 goals and 24 assists in 52 games across competitions.
A Chelsea fan, Okenna had his first tryst with Blues in 2006, after fellow countryman John Mikel Obi joined the west London club. He was immediately drawn to the brilliance of players like Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, John Terry and Didier Drogba.
Okenna is a huge fan of Lionel Messi for his exceptional talent. He also admires Jose Mourinho for his achievements with various clubs which proves he’s a tactical and disciplined manger as well as a serial winner.
Some of Okenna’s prospective career landmarks include working as an international journalist and covering a FIFA World Cup game live from the stadium. When not writing, he loves watching, movies and reading books.
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