Lamine Yamal switch reaps dividends as Barcelona scoring run continues

Not content with a tally of 22 goals from Barcelona side’s past six La Liga matches, manager Hansi Flick has hit upon a new formula to add potency to his forward line.

Things did not look promising for Flick when Dani Olmo suffered a dislocated shoulder against Atlético Madrid at the start of the month, ruling him out until the New Year. The absence of the 27-year-old Spain international, who has scored four goals and created a further two in 13 La Liga appearances season, left the German coach with a No 10- shaped hole in his forward line. 

The obvious solution would have been to usher Raphinha into service, were it not that the Brazilian experienced minor discomfort in a hamstring before Saturday’s visit to Real Betis. So with Fermín López likewise unable to start following a calf injury, Flick got creative, bringing in Lamine Yamal from his usual station on the right wing to play behind Ferran Torres. 

How Lamine Yamal switch worked in Barca’s win over Real Betis

It could hardly have worked much better. After falling behind to an early goal from former Manchester United attacker Antony, Barcelona set about the Betis defence with gusto, Torres claiming a quickfire double to put Barcelona ahead inside 13 minutes before adding a third shortly before the interval. By then, Sweden international Roony Bardghji, Yamal’s replacement on the right, had claimed a first league goal for the club. Just before the hour, Lamal, free of the groin injury that troubled him earlier in the campaign, added a fifth from the penalty spot.

It was enough to render a late double from the home side redundant, Barcelona running out 5-3 winners to leave the club four points clear at the top of the table following Real Madrid’s shock defeat to Celta Vigo the following day. 

Notably, the win also marked the 36th straight game in which Barca have found the net. It is the third best such run in the club’s history, equalling the sequence compiled under Juan José Nogués between 1942 and 1944. 

It would seem Flick has hit upon a new way to mine his side’s attacking talent, with the coach impressed by Yamal’s performance – not least his defensive discipline – in a relatively untried role. Time will tell whether the change sticks but, for now, there is clearly ample cover for Olmo’s position. 

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick on Lamine Yamal’s display

“Before the match I asked Lamine if he could play as an attacking midfielder, and he said yes,” said Flick, who earlier this season warned Yamal “talent is not enough”. “Roony also deserved to start, and he had a great game.

“I saw Lamine Yamal very well. He has worked defensively with his team-mates and has been very good. We haven’t trained him. Lamine is intelligent and knows how to interpret spaces very well. He has done fantastically. 

“For me, the most important thing is the actions he did in defence. He is a fantastic professional. He connected very well with Roony. He’s growing and has improved a lot.”

Food for thought for Eintracht Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller, whose side travel to the Catalan capital on Tuesday evening in the Champion League.