Barcelona centre-back Inigo Martinez has stated that Lamine Yamal is not irreplaceable for the Catalan giants, Afrosport reports.
The 17-year-old has been a sensation for Barca since breaking into the first team and has also become a vital cog for the Spain national team, helping them to the Euro 2024 championship in Germany.
Yamal has continued his scintillating form for Barcelona this season with 14 goal involvements (six goals, eight assists) in 16 competitive games but is currently sidelined with an ankle injury which he suffered in Barca’s 5-2 win over Red Star Belgrade three weeks ago.
Barcelona have failed to win any game in Yamal’s absence, losing at Real Sociedad in La Liga before drawing 2-2 with 10 men against Celta Vigo.
It has raised questions on whether Hansi Flick’s side can get results without the player of Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean heritage but Martinez believes there are capable replacements.
“We know how important Lamine Yamal is for us,” he said ahead of the Champions League game with Brest. “I won’t deny it. He gives us a lot. He makes the difference on the pitch. He makes the rival’s defence line to go back. He goes forward, he resists and causes a lot of fear in the rival.
“He is a vital and important player for our team. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have a substitute player who won’t be up for the task. Any Barcelona player going on the pitch is able to play and display Yamal’s level of performance.”
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⚔️ Barça vs Brest
🏟️ Estadi Olímpic
📅 Tuesday, November 26
⌚️ 9:00 CET
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Barcelona lead the La Liga standings, four points clear of fierce rivals Real Madrid and occupy sixth place in the UEFA Champions League.
