In one of Barcelona’s worst performances of the season, the Catalan team drew 1-1 against Real Betis at Montjuïc, disappointing the fans who had hoped to extend their lead over Real Madrid, who also suffered a surprising defeat to Valencia in the same round. This match was supposed to be a golden opportunity for the team under Hansi Flick’s leadership to strengthen their position, but their disappointing performance squandered this precious chance.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper ‘‘El Nacional‘‘, Barcelona dropped two valuable points in their recent match against Real Betis (1-1). While Hansi Flick is considering making changes to the lineup for upcoming matches, there is a prominent figure in the locker room suggesting a change that could significantly improve the team’s performance: Lamine Yamal believes that Ferran Torres should be the starting central striker.
The 17-year-old winger, who has become one of the standout players of the season, expressed his preference to play alongside a more mobile striker. While Lamine has no issues with Robert Lewandowski being part of the team, with whom he maintains a professional and respectful relationship, he feels his performance improves noticeably when playing alongside Ferran Torres as the central striker.
When Ferran Torres plays as a central striker, his constant movement, ability to break into spaces, and wide passing create gaps that Lamine knows how to exploit skillfully. The young winger feels more freedom, finds better passing lanes, and has clearer opportunities to face defenders.
Additionally, Ferran’s speed and quick decision-making provide Lamine with multiple options on the wing, reducing the chance of isolation from the other players. In contrast, when Lewandowski plays as the central striker, his more stationary style slows down the passing game, forcing Lamine to look for individual solutions, often facing defenders alone.
Despite his young age, Lamine Yamal has already become one of the influential voices in the locker room. His impressive performances have seen him lead the team in several matches, earning him the respect of everyone. Hansi Flick recognizes the importance of the young player’s opinion and values it greatly, though he also needs to find a balanced attacking approach for his team.
With the end of La Liga and the UEFA Champions League approaching, Flick will need to make decisive tactical decisions. Barcelona needs to determine their best attacking style, and this may require giving Ferran a prominent role in the striker position, especially in matches that demand a more dynamic attack.
If Ferran Torres continues to shine whenever given the opportunity to play as a central striker, and Lamine Yamal continues to play a pivotal role alongside him, it may make sense to consider adjusting the attacking structure as the season progresses.
At this point, it is clear that Lamine Yamal has sent a strong message: if it were up to him, Ferran Torres would be the starting central striker.