Thierry Henry’s breakdown of Lamine Yamal and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia following this week’s Champions League semi-finals has gone viral. Inter Milan are now set to face Paris Saint-Germain at Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31 after an epic round of semi-final fixtures that delivered drama and excitement by the gallon.
On Tuesday night, a dramatic 7-6 aggregate result saw Simone Inzaghi’s side leave it late, eventually eliminating tournament favourites Barcelona in extra-time thanks to a last-gasp blow from Davide Frattesi. The following evening, despite Arsenal’s early pressure in their bid to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit, PSG cruised to a commanding 3-1 second-leg win at the Parc des Princes.
As a legendary former forward himself, Henry observed a crucial distinction between the playing styles of the two clubs' star wingers during his analysis for CBS Sports - one that may well explain why PSG are now on the brink of securing their first major European title, while Barcelona are left reflecting on another missed opportunity in their pursuit of a treble under Hansi Flick.
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Henry Pinpoints Yamal Mistake That Might Have Cost Barcelona
He then goes on to use PSG's Kvaratskhelia as a model
Such is the blistering form Yamal currently finds himself in, it's very easy to forget he's still only 17 years old for another few months. However, his actions during the latter stages of Barcelona's Champions League semi-final prove that his decision-making isn't quite up to scratch with his older peers yet, Henry explained.
While his side were one goal to the good with just added time left to play, the teenager opted to try and score another goal instead of wasting time by the corner flag. Henry picked up the stark difference between Yamal and Kvaratskhelia in a masterclass on CBS Sports on Wednesday night. He said (watch the full analysis below):
"Lamine Yamal, he can go to the corner flag, but he tries to cut inside and score another goal. If you score, there's nothing you [the other team] can do, and it's definitely over. But it goes out, and then he doesn't get back to defend.
"Now let's compare it to Paris Saint-Germain. 91st minute, two goals up on aggregate, look at Kvaratskhelia and his experience. He's not going to try go in between players, he's going to run the line. This is what you do in the game, and how you go to finals in the Champions League."
Yamal remains one of the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or in October - and rightfully so. Yet what he may still be developing is the maturity to impact the game across all areas of the pitch - something PSG’s wingers demonstrated brilliantly against Arsenal, emphasising that there is no 'i' in 'team'.
Now, PSG stand on the brink of history, with a golden opportunity to claim their first-ever major European trophy. A win would make them only the second French club to lift the Champions League, following Marseille’s triumph in 1993.
Though they once boasted a star-studded lineup featuring LionelMessi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, PSG seem to have finally embraced the lesson that tactics and unity trump individual brilliance, which Henry's analysis indirectly touched upon.