Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez says 15-year-old Lamine Yamal can mark an period on the membership after making his LaLiga debut in Saturday’s 4-0 win towards Actual Betis.
Yamal, who would not flip 16 till July, got here off the bench for the ultimate 10 minutes to turn out to be Barca’s youngest ever debutant within the Spanish high flight.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)
Former Mallorca ahead Luka Romero, now at Lazio, stays the youngest to ever play in LaLiga, however Yamal turns into one in every of simply 5 gamers to play within the league earlier than turning 16.
“I instructed him to strive issues and he did,” Xavi stated of Yamal’s debut. “At 15 years previous, simply think about it… He’s particular and he may have even scored tonight, however [Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva] saved.
“He performed with confidence and he confirmed what he’s about. He has no worry and baggage of expertise. A few of his passes within the closing third had been actually good.”
Yamal has already drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati, two different forwards who broke into the Barca first workforce to nice fanfare as youngsters.
“He is the same participant as a result of he has that innate expertise within the closing third which is tough to seek out,” Xavi added when requested if the three may very well be in contrast.
“Lamine would not look like a 15-year-old, he is very mature. He is prepared [to play] and he’s coaching effectively. He can mark an period at this membership as a part of this workforce.”
Yamal was given a roaring reception from the 88,000 crowd at Spotify Camp Nou and Barca ahead Raphinha, who scored the third aim within the win over Betis, stated it will not be lengthy till he scores his first aim for the membership.
“We had been speaking about it on the bench and I believe once I was 15 I used to be taking part in for the native workforce in my neighbourhood,” the Brazil worldwide instructed reporters.
“Seeing him come on in entrance of the followers was unbelievable. It could have been even higher if he scored, however I’m certain he’ll get one sooner slightly than later.”
Andreas Christensen opened the scoring on his return from harm within the thirteenth minute for Barca earlier than Betis had been decreased to 10 males when Edgar Gonzalez was despatched off for 2 bookings.
Robert Lewandowski added the second and Raphinha the third, with an personal aim from Guido Rodriguez finishing the scoring late on after Xavi had additionally introduced on Ousmane Dembele, who returned from a three-month harm layoff.
The victory restored Barca’s 11-point lead on the high of the desk over Actual Madrid as they shut in on a primary title since 2019 and noticed the workforce return to profitable methods after the shock loss at Rayo Vallecano in midweek.
“After the deserved defeat in Vallecas, we wanted to react,” Xavi added. “We began effectively. We had been already a aim up when the pink card arrived.
“We principally killed the sport off within the first half. It was a well-rounded efficiency from the workforce, we had been in a position to rotate and provides minutes to different gamers. It is one other step in direction of our goal.
“It was essential for Dembele and Christensen to get minutes. Dembele instructed me he felt good. We have now missed them each. They’re particular gamers.”
The defeat leaves Betis 9 factors again from the fourth and closing Champions League qualifying spot.
Coach Manuel Pellegrini accepted Barca had been the higher facet, however he was not blissful concerning the pink card, with Edgar dismissed for fouls on Raphinha and Pedri within the first half after approaching for the injured Luiz Felipe.
“The sport lasted 20 minutes,” Pellegrini stated. “Barcelona dominated, scored from a nook after which the sport ended with an absurd dismissal.
“Should you ask me, neither of the challenges are bookings. The primary one is justifiable as a result of it is [the referee’s] standards, however the second has no rationalization as a result of it goes towards his standards.
“The referee himself stated two instances it isn’t a yellow and [Barca’s players] made him change his choice. He did not present any character.”