Young Boys’ manager reveals plan to contain Lamine Yamal in Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League showdown
- FC Barcelona will play host to the Swiss Super League side, BSC Young Boys, in their second of eight 'league phase' matches.
- Young Boys' manager Patrick Rahmen revealed his strategy for dealing with one of the world’s brightest young talents in Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.
By Rohan Borges
Lamine Yamal at the top of the scouting report ahead of Champions League clash with BSC Young Boys
As Lamine Yamal rapidly transforms into one of Europe's most dangerous attacking players, opponents have been forced to adapt their defensive tactics to counter the 17-year-old's individual excellence. However, Rahmen has confirmed that his approach will prioritize cohesion in defense rather than isolating Yamal.
"Lamine Yamal is an excellent player, but we won't mark him individually. We must control him as a team"
- Patrick Rahmen (Young Boys manager)
Rahmen’s comments highlight the growing challenge Yamal presents to defenses across Europe. Not only is the La Masia product technically gifted, but his ability to exploit space, stretch defenses, and create goalscoring opportunities has made him the most important figure in Barcelona’s attack.
Yamal, who will be fully rested after playing only the final 30 minutes of Barcelona's 4-2 defeat to Osasuna in La Liga, will be charged with leading the Catalans' attack on Tuesday. Head coach Hansi Flick acknowledged his own mistakes after that defeat, citing his mismanagement of player rotations as the primary reason for Barcelona’s first loss of the season.
"If you want to give someone the responsibility of this defeat, that's on me. It’s my fault... I had to rotate some players; it was necessary"
- Hansi Flick
Barcelona’s 3-1 loss to AS Monaco in their opening Champions League match has added pressure on the team to secure a positive result against Young Boys. With Yamal and the rest of the starting eleven expected to return to full fitness, Barcelona will be looking to reestablish their dominance at Camp Nou.
A win against Young Boys is essential if Barcelona hopes to keep their European title aspirations alive. With tough UCL fixtures against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund on the horizon, points against the inferior Swiss side are crucial. While considered underdogs, Young Boys have proven capable of troubling more established teams, and Barca cannot afford to take them lightly.
Tuesday’s clash promises to be a defining moment for Barcelona as Hansi Flick’s men aim to capitalize on home advantage and regain momentum in Europe’s premier competition.