Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has this week moved to reiterate once more his appreciation for the talents of Lamine Yamal.
Wide-man Lamine, for his part, is of course fresh off a return to the pitch, following a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
And the 17-year-old has quickly set about doubling down on his status as arguably Barcelona’s most important figure in the attacking third.
After dazzling en route to the Blaugrana’s 5-1 drubbing of Mallorca last week, Lamine laid on a sumptuous assist over the weekend, too, guiding his side back in front late on in a 2-2 stalemate with Real Betis.
The Spanish international, in turn, will be expected to play a leading role once more later this evening, upon he and his teammates making the trip to Signal Iduna Park for a Champions League showdown with Borussia Dortmund.
Drawn on the influence of his side’s prodigious young winger in the buildup to the clash, Hansi Flick was therefore not shy in heaping fresh praise on Lamine:
“Lamine Yamal can always make the difference. In any game. He is an extraordinary talent.”
Barca’s headmaster continued:
“Since his injury, he (Lamine) has had to take a break and regain his fitness. But in the last few games, he has shown his qualities and how important he is to the team. I have full confidence that he will show that (vs Dortmund) as well.”
Conor Laird – GSFN