Xavi not worried about Lamine Yamal’s age ahead of Super Cup El Clásico: ‘He has the confidence to make a difference’
After several difficult weeks in which he played very little and couldn’t be at his best, Lamine Yamal seems to be on right track again. The youngster played very well off the bench in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Osasuna and scored the second goal in the game to wrap up the victory and give himself a much-needed confidence boost.
Yamal became the youngest player to appear and score in a Spanish Super Cup match with his exploits on Thurrsday, and he is in contention to start for the Blaugrana in Sunday’s Final against Real Madrid in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after Raphinha’s hamstring injury opened the door for the 16-year-old to prove he’s good enough to have an impact in the biggest game of them all despite his age.
Xavi Hernández was asked about Yamal in his pre-match press conference on Saturday, and while the coach didn’t say whether or not Lamine would start he sounded very confident in the teenager’s ability to have a big impact in El Clásico.
“I would ask Lamine to do more of the same: play with courage, confidence, show his talent and quality. He is young but he won’t feel the weight of the occasion because he has enough confidence to make a difference in a game like this, even as a teenager.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Xavi has been unwavering in his support and confidence in Yamal despite having to limit his minutes in recent weeks to help the youngster navigate the natural ups and downs that come with his age, but the coach clearly trusts Lamine to make a difference in the biggest stage.
