VALENCIA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 22: Manu Sanchez of Alaves runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Fran Perez of Valencia CF during the LaLiga match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Mestalla on December 22, 2024 in Valencia, Spain.

Manu Sánchez heaps praise on one Barcelona player ahead of tomorrow’s game

Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images

FC Barcelona are set to take on Deportivo Alavés in La Liga at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc tomorrow in an early kick-off. It is an important game for the Catalan club in the context of the season with them languishing seven points behind Real Madrid in the table.

The Catalan club, despite playing better football than most teams in Europe, rather inexplicably find themselves behind Los Blancos in the league table and tomorrow’s game against Alavés might be a tricky one considering it is an afternoon kick-off.

Ahead of the game, Alavés left-back Manu Sánchez spoke about various topics including the prospect of facing Barcelona star winger Lamine Yamal, and as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the Spaniard heaped immense praise on him. He said:

“Every day that passes he shows that he is a great player, with more and more confidence. In every game, he does something great. It’s fantastic, he’s already one of the best in the world.”

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 29: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between FC Barcelona and Atalanta BC at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on January 29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Sánchez was then asked if he thinks Lamine Yamal is already a star and his words show just how much the teenager’s stature has grown. He continued:

“It may not be said because of his youth, but he really is. What he brings to the team is incredible.”

Sánchez was then asked on whether he knew what had to be done to stop Yamal and here is what the left-back had to say. He said:

“That’s a good question! It’s quite difficult. You have to try to be very close to him and pay close attention to him. Make him uncomfortable and make it difficult for him to turn around.”

Not many left-backs in the world have managed to find the answer to the question ‘How to stop Lamine Yamal?’ so far this season. The only player who has come close so far was Benfica’s Álvaro Carreras who was very impressive.

Thus, it remains to be seen if Manu Sánchez can do any better than his counterparts in this sense. If he managed to keep Yamal quiet, it would mean a big thing for Barcelona and let’s wait and see how it plays out going forward.

Tags Lamine Yamal Manu Sanchez