Lamine Yamal described his dribble that set up Anthony Gordon’s goal as an “almost-rabona” as Barcelona beat Galatasaray 4-1 in the Champions League in Istanbul.
Yamal’s Dribble Sets Up Gordon
Yamal, 19, did not score in the victory, but he produced a stunning second-half display. He set up Fermín López with a pinpoint cross before creating a chance for Gordon, the England international.
The teenager shaped to play a rabona, which tricked the defender. He knocked the ball toward the byline instead. A small ricochet helped him, but he reacted quickly to drive inside and then assisted Gordon.
“I don’t know what to call it, it was an almost-rabona dribble,” Yamal told Movistar after the game as he watched a replay of the goal.
“It came off well to set up Gordon, that’s the main thing, that it was effective at the end of the day.”
In a separate interview with CBS, Yamal told former Barça forward Thierry Henry that he always looks for new ways to create space.
“Recently, I have noticed that a lot of opponents, whenever I reach the byline, go to ground, so I saw the opportunity, went for it and it came off,” he said.
“I always try to faint to create space. If you can create a bit of space that way, it gives us [attackers] life. It was nice, but also effective, so I am very happy.”
Flick Praises Teenager
Yamal has scored eight goals and provided nine assists in 10 appearances for Barça this season.
Barça coach Hansi Flick credited him with “changing the game” as the Spanish champions recovered from going behind to win convincingly.
“In the second half he was fantastic, how he dominated the game, the last pass … It’s unbelievable what he’s doing,” Flick said at the post-game news conference.
Treble Dream and Week Ahead
The win in Türkiye was Barça’s 10th straight victory to open the current campaign, including eight in LaLiga and two in the Champions League. During that run, they have scored a remarkable 43 goals. Yamal said the team is laying the foundations for a potentially historic season.
When asked whether Barça believe a Treble of LaLiga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey is possible this season, Yamal answered without hesitation.
“Always,” he told CBS. “We’re Barcelona, we’re the best team in the world.”
That claim will face its next test over the coming week. Barça travel to third-placed Real Betis in LaLiga on Saturday, face Paris Saint-Germain in France in the Champions League next Tuesday, and then host Real Madrid in the first Clásico of the season the following Sunday.