Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi heaped praise on Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, admitting the 17-year-old winger caused significant problems for his side during their UEFA Champions League encounter on Wednesday night. Inzaghi’s candid remarks underscored the growing reputation of Yamal, whose dazzling performance left the Italian champions scrambling to contain him.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Inzaghi revealed the extent of Yamal’s impact, stating, “I haven’t seen a player like Lamine Yamal in the last eight or nine years. We had to put three players on him.” The Inter boss further emphasized the rarity of Yamal’s talent, describing him as a “once-in-50-years” player whose skillset forced his team to adapt their defensive strategy mid-game. “At the end of the first half, we had to fix something. We needed to mark Lamine Yamal better,” Inzaghi added.
Yamal, widely regarded as one of football’s brightest prospects, showcased his pace, dribbling, and vision at the San Siro, consistently troubling Inter’s backline. His ability to exploit spaces and create chances for Barcelona reportedly left Inzaghi in awe, with the manager noting, “Sitting at the computer is much easier, but Lamine Yamal really impressed me.” Despite Inter’s efforts to neutralize him, Yamal’s influence persisted, even as he tired in the second half.
The match, a high-stakes Champions League group stage clash, saw Barcelona and Inter battle for supremacy in a tightly contested affair. While the final scoreline is not detailed here, Inzaghi’s comments suggest Yamal’s individual brilliance was a defining factor, forcing Inter to deploy multiple defenders to curb his threat. Social media posts on X echoed Inzaghi’s sentiments, with fans and analysts marveling at Yamal’s performance and the manager’s glowing assessment.
Yamal’s rise has been meteoric since his debut for Barcelona at age 15. Now a regular starter under Hansi Flick, the Spanish international has drawn comparisons to legends like Lionel Messi for his fearless style and technical prowess. Inzaghi’s remarks add to the growing chorus of praise from top managers, with the Inter coach joining the likes of others who have lauded Yamal’s unique abilities.
For Inter, the match highlighted both the challenge of facing Europe’s elite talents and the need for tactical adjustments against players like Yamal. Inzaghi, while disappointed with his team’s inability to fully contain the teenager, remained gracious in defeat, saying, “I still have to compliment him. Talents like that come around once every 50 years.”