Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi believes that they could reach the Champions League final if they could stop Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
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Inter Milan must stop Lamine Yamal
Yamal starred in Barcelona’s come-from-behind to draw 3-3 in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal at the Olympic Stadium last Wednesday.
Inzaghi was asked if he has come up with a plan to stop the Spain international.
“We need to keep him away from the ball, but it’s impossible,” Inzaghi said in a news conference.
“Whether that is a double marking job or one player following him closely, we will try to always pay attention to him. He’s such a great talent at 17 years old.”
“Seeing him live, he’s so dangerous. Everyone gives him the ball. What impressed me was his speed of thought, he’s such a quick thinker. Even before receiving the ball, he always knows what move to make.”
Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni is one of the players who may be tasked with stopping Yamal.
He first faced the teenager while playing for Italy at last summer’s European Championship, which Spain won, and has been impressed by his progress since then
When asked if Yamal is the best player he’s ever come up against, Baston said: “I think so.”
“I had faced him at the Euros and he wasn’t quite at this level yet. I was impressed by how much he has improved.”
“I’ve played against many top players and in terms of age and that ability to create something, he’s one of the best, if not the very best.”
Inter can beat Barca
Inter face the daunting task of not only stopping Yamal, but also his strike partners Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski is set to return for the second leg after missing Barcelona’s last four matches due to injury.
Still, the Serie A side remain optimistic about reaching the Champions League final.
“We are up against a strong team, we have had a taste of that first-hand in the first leg,” Inzaghi added. “But I hope to see a great Inter against Barcelona. We know the importance of this game.”
“It will take a huge performance. We need to be switched on and clearheaded. The group believes in their ability to win this game and can’t wait for it.”
“There’s just the right amount of tension. It’s almost a final and we get to play it in front of our fans.”
