Inter Milan players have highlighted one exceptionally talented young Barcelona star as their most formidable challenge this season
The recent Champions League semi-final contested between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona has topped all discussion in the football world, with a thrilling 3-3 first leg, followed by a wild 4-3 second leg, forcing Inter Milan to now prepare for their final match.
While facing FC Barcelona was intense, the Club represented a real challenge with their group of formidable players that took Inter to their limits.
Once the dust had settled on the week-long matchup for Inter Milan, several Inter players were asked to identify the toughest opponent they faced in the current season.
The responses were widely shared on platforms UEFA Champions League official X page and referenced one Barcelona player who left a permanent imprint after this encounter, with his electric display warranted universal respect.
That player is a 17-year-old Lamine Yamal.
Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, who faced Yamal in the Euros and faced him again in these matches, described Yamal as “one of the best, if not the best,” for his age.
Bastoni suggested that he appeared to be improving every time he played. Inter Coach Simone Inzaghi said that Yamal was a “phenomenon that is born every 50 years.”
He described how he could pick apart the defence of Inter even when they were double-marked…. By the end of the first leg, Yamal combined solo efforts with three defenders and scored a dazzling international goal.
Yamal pressed from the front for the entire match in both legs of the tie.
He completed 14 dribbles, had six shots, and just kept Inter on their back foot.
Barcelona’s heartbreak as a loser in a wild 7-6 aggregate loss was softened by the heroics of Yamal, who drew praise from Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who called Yamal a “player who can shine.”
Regardless of the loss, it was very clear that Yamal’s performances show that he is rising as a new global superstar, and experts like Rio Ferdinand have labeled him as “the best” in Europe’s top leagues.
Even as Inter continues through to the next phase, Yamal’s impact and abilities ensure that at least Barcelona has a bright future.
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