When you come to Istanbul, you expect a fight.
There’s no way around it, the victory never comes easy, and so it was in the Champions League as Lamine Yamal led the Blaugrana into the lion’s den of Galatasaray.
Every time Barca touched the ball, which of course was a lot, the Turkish fans greeted them with deafening jeers.
Hansi Flick tested his magic touch once again, thinking that Dani Olmo up top would help Barca control the game. In the end, it was mostly a failed experiment. Tactics alone weren’t
going to take down the might Turks. This was a game for the Catalan protagonist to vanquish a fierce rival.
Lamine Yamal showed the world again why there is no one else like him.
Once he recognized that his team-mates were struggling to break through, he took over the game and completely changed the dynamic.
After a very unlucky opening goal was scored, in which I maintain a penalty should have been given on the other end after Anthony Gordon was taken down after beating his defender, there was no time to feel sorry and make excuses.
Galatasaray were full of confidence and could smell blood in the water. This was the perfect chance to take down mighty Catalan giants, something no one else has yet achieved this season.
Eventually the momentum shifted behind a wonder strike from Joao Cancelo.
The unique danger alive and kicking in the boots of Lamine Yamal, however, is what completely changed the tide in the second half.
With every dribble and pass, Lamine was cooking. It was poetry in motion, and in the end, the Barca superstar didn’t even have to score a goal to make his mark.
The pass he sent to assist Fermin Lopez was like watching an eagle soar through the sky.
His next assist to Anthony Gordon was inspired, you would think, from a night in a Barcelona discoteca.
He could have had more, but unfortunately his comrades couldn’t quite keep up with the supernatural rhythm he was playing at.
Don’t get me wrong. Barcelona as a team continued with the intensity that has become a trademark, and it’s a wonder to behold.
For the hard-earned victory, however, Lamine Yamal deserves the credit. This was a Champions League game where the touch of a star was needed.
This was another major test for Barcelona.
On the road in Europe, it was a chance to show they could play hard, but also stay calm and find a way to respond after taking a punch to the face.
As a team they did that.
The knockout blow was delivered by Lamine and it made all the difference. This won’t be the last time he’s called on to be the deciding factor.
Hansi Flick and Barcelona will be thrilled to see their Ballon d’Or talent reaching new heights.
The ambitions are stronger than ever, and to be the best, they need their best player to be playing his best football.
