Barcelona travel to face Girona in La Liga later today, and the spotlight will be on Lamine Yamal.
This is because the young forward is enjoying his best scoring run in a Barcelona shirt, and the timing could not be more important as the team looks to bounce back from recent setbacks.
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As such, the academy graduate has found the net in three consecutive league matches, scoring against Oviedo, Elche, and Mallorca.
It is the most consistent scoring streak of his young career in the competition and a sign of his growing influence in the final third.
What makes this run even more impressive is the timing. The 18-year-old has already surpassed his total goal numbers from last season, and the campaign is only in February.
Clear path against Girona
Now, as Barcelona prepare to face Girona, the opposition may have a major problem on their hands.
This is because Michel’s side will be without their only natural left-back, Alex Moreno, who has been ruled out for just over a month due to a calf injury.
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His absence leaves a clear gap in the defence, one that Yamal will be eager to exploit.
Lamine Yamal is in the best form of his career. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Without Moreno, Girona’s coach is weighing up several options. One possibility is shifting Daley Blind to the left side, though that could reduce the team’s depth and mobility.
Other alternatives include using Alejandro Frances or Hugo Rincon in unfamiliar roles, or even reshuffling the central defence by moving Axel Witsel and introducing Vitor Reis on the left.
However, the most likely solution appears to be Arnau Martinez.
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A problem for Yamal?
Naturally a right-back, Martinez is known for his versatility, as he can play as a centre-back, defensive midfielder, left-back, or even in a more advanced midfield role.
He has already shown his ability to handle elite attackers, most notably against Vinicius Jr,, and that experience could prove vital against a player as unpredictable as Yamal.
However, stopping Yamal is never simple, especially when he is in this kind of form.
With confidence high and momentum on his side, the Barcelona youngster will see this match as another opportunity to extend his scoring streak and prove once again why he is one of the most exciting talents in world football.