Lamine Yamal christened his dribble leading to Anthony Gordon‘s goal against Galatasaray an “almost-rabona” as Barcelona ran out 4-1 winners in the Champions League game.
Yamal, 19, didn’t score in the victory in Istanbul but produced a stunning second half display, setting up Fermín López with a pinpoint cross before creating for Gordon.
The teenager shaped to do a rabona, tricking the defender, only to knock the ball towards the byline instead. He benefitted from a small ricochet, but reacted quickly to drive inside before assisting the England international.
“I don’t know what to call it, it was an almost-rabona dribble,” Yamal told Movistar after the game as he watched a replay of the goal.
“It came off well to set up Gordon, that’s the main thing, that it was effective at the end of the day.”
In a separate interview with CBS, Yamal told former Barça forward Thierry Henry he is always looking for new ways to create space.
“Recently, I have noticed that a lot of opponents, whenever I reach the byline, go to ground, so I saw the opportunity, went for it and it came off,” he added.
“I always try to faint to create space. If you can create a bit of space that way, it gives us [attackers] life. It was nice, but also effective, so I am very happy.”
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In 10 appearances for Barça this season, Yamal has now scored eight goals and laid on nine assists.
Barça coach Hansi Flick credited him with “changing the game” against Galatasaray as the Spanish champions recovered from going behind to run out convincing winners.
“In the second half he was fantastic, how he dominated the game, the last pass … It’s unbelievable what he’s doing,” Flick said in the post game news conference.
The victory in Türkiye was Barça’s 10th in a row at the start of the current campaign — eight in LaLiga and two in the Champions League.
During that time, they have netted a remarkable 43 goals, with Yamal saying they are laying the foundations for potentially historic season.
“Always,” he told CBS when asked if Barça believe a Treble — winning LaLiga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey — is possible this season.
“We’re Barcelona, we’re the best team in the world.”
That claim will be tested over the next week as Barça travel to third-placed Real Betis in LaLiga on Saturday, face Paris Saint-Germain in France in the Champions League next Tuesday and then host Real Madrid in the first Clásico of the season the following Sunday.
