In modern dressing rooms, far removed from the old hierarchies in which dominant leaders stood out and in which coaches try to look after all their players equally, there are some exceptions. Just ask Leo Messi, who has some unique privileges, both in his different clubs and in the Argentine national team. That is why, when a new promise appears, it is quickly said: “You have to be careful”. This was the case with Lamine Yamal in the last campaign at Barça. The surprising maturity of the striker, added to his strong personality, made one of the veterans of the squad, annoyed by some slight, complain about Yamal’s attitude: “Don’t let him become a monster”. It happens that there are temperaments that are difficult to cage. They are so in good times, also in bad.
Facing the legendary Michael Jordan, the alpha male par excellence of the sport, present in Louis II’s box – he has a house in the Principality of Monaco and is used to making the most of the European summer – Lamine Yamal showed off his talent, but above all his personality. The striker rebelled when Barça was left with one less player after the expulsion of Eric García and became the second youngest scorer in the Champions League at 17 years and 68 days. The first is also a Barça player: Ansu Fati (17 and 40). Precisely in Monaco, Fati was celebrating. He returned to the first team squad, after receiving medical clearance, after overcoming the injury to the sole of his right foot that had kept him out of the start of the season for Hansi Flick’s team.
Eric García’s early dismissal – he was exposed after Ter Stegen made a mistake at the start – changed Flick’s game plan. “It’s the only change in the starting eleven, they are very strong and we want to be careful with their striker as well,” the German had explained before the match the inclusion of the centre-back in the midfield axis. “The game has changed completely. We tried at all times, we defended with passion. We made some mistakes, but we tried to score goals. We had some chances, but they deserved to win,” analysed Flick. And Pedri added: “With the red card, the whole approach changes, but I’m left with the effort that the team made. With the 1-1 we had some chances to score the second, despite being one less.”
Without Eric, Barça lost control of the match. At least at the start, when Akliouche confirmed Monaco’s superiority in the net. At that moment, when Flick’s team was having the worst time in the Principality, Lamine Yamal’s rebellion appeared. The young striker dressed up as an experienced player to lead the Barça recovery. “He gave us a lot of air, it was a different game with the 1-1. A great goal and I’m happy to have him,” said Pedri.
However, they ran out of gas. Another mistake, this time from Cubarsi, resulted in Ilenikhena making it 2-1, which made Lamine’s beautiful goal and Barcelona’s resistance come to nothing. It was then that Flick opted to take care of the striker. Jordan did not get to see him win. At least, he saw him rebel against adversity. “We are strong enough to play in the Champions League. There are seven games left and we will achieve our objectives,” concluded Flick.
