Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has sent a moving message to the star of the first team, rising player Lamin Yamal.
The Catalan club’s first football team faced their counterparts, Real Mallorca, on Tuesday evening in the seventh round of the 2023-2024 Spanish Premier League.
On the pitch at the Iberostar Stadium, Mallorca’s stronghold, both teams scored two goals in the match: Rafinha and Lopez scored for Barça, while Muriqi and Abdoun scored for the home team.
The Catalan club picked up one point from the match, keeping them at the top of the Spanish league standings with 17 points, while Real Mallorca received a point to take their tally to 6 points and into fifteenth place.
Xavi surprised Lamin Yamal with this statement after Barcelona stumbled against Real Mallorca
Xavi spoke at the post-match press conference, saying: “These two mistakes had a big impact on today’s match. We cannot give such gifts to our opponents. Last year we were very strong defensively, but this year we were not so strong, and that has its effect.”
He said: “The situation is that we are creating opportunities and that we have been able to do more.” But we concede a lot of goals and that’s the problem today. “We need to be more focused and organized.”
He added: “The reason for the draw is the individual mistakes we make. We have specific mistakes and we need to concentrate more. Celta still has a weak point today. “We did it last year and we need to do it now this year.”
He continued: “Lamin? He played very well and understood Raphinha’s role on the field; Fermin also played well, they are very young, we need to take care of them and not burn them.”
He added: “Fermin? I loved him in preseason. He has potential, he is hungry, he has a goal to achieve… His goal today gave us a point… He is a dynamic player, he participated very well.”
He continued: “I feel passion and enthusiasm when I compete. I want my team to win. For me, it was like a penalty for Lamin Yamal. That’s who I am and I can’t hide.”
He explained: “Who was on the bench for the last 4 matches? “I have to say he is a player I really like and he has enormous talent. He can be very good for us this season, but I insist we must look after him well.”
The technical director of the team summarized Catalan“Contact with Lamin Yamal looks like a penalty to me.”