The penultimate invention of Lamine Yamal: the hot takes of the Galatasaray-Barça

BarcelonaBarça thrashing in the Champions League after a first half that didn't look too good. Lamine Yamal and Pedri took flight so that their team could impose its will against a Galatasaray that gave in during the second half. Below, some hot takes.

A true false nine. Much has been written about the fact that Barça will play the important matches of this season without a centre-forward. But after ten official matches so far, it can already be seen that this is a half-truth. While it is true that Raphinha, who is the one who has occupied Lewandowski's place in the middle of the attack, is not a pure striker, he often behaves as if he were. Also Gabriel Jesus, signed at a good price, fits this profile as capable of drifting to the wing as of threatening in the box. On the other hand, Dani Olmo, as he demonstrated at Galatasaray's pitch, is indeed what is usually known as a false nine. Flick chose the player from Terrassa as his offensive reference, as undetectable in marking as he was blunt in finishing.

An accumulation of talent. Olmo is no killer, but his movements as a false nine allow the firepower surrounding him to be activated. In this way, the goals that allowed the game to be turned around at the beginning of the second half are understood. In the 1-2, Fermín, an attacking midfielder according to the lineup sheet, charged into the box to score his fifth goal this season. And in the 1-3, Gordon, who during the international break added three goals with England, extended the streak in another striker's action. The former Newcastle player compensates for his lack of dribbling with pressure, speed, vision of the game, and goals. The description is similar to the one we would make of Raphinha, who can recover calmly, without forcing or doing foolish things.

And when everything seemed invented... Lamine Yamal appeared to put an end to Barça's suffering in Istanbul. Lemina had provoked him with some unfortunate statements – he said he didn't know him – and he responded with two assists in the goals by Fermín and Gordon. The first was a treat, while the second was served after a magic trick we hadn't seen: a rabona turned into a dribble. If he collects the Ballon d'Or in a couple of weeks, it shouldn't surprise us. It also doesn't come as a shock to see him acting as captain for the first time in an official match when Pedri decided that his particular recital had to end in the 72nd minute. There is the PSG and a 'Clásico' on the horizon and there is no need to force it.

To intervene or not to intervene. Barça added their tenth win (in ten games) after going through the worst moments of the season. Batrakov put Galatasaray ahead after a great move by Leao, and minutes later Osimhen scored the 2-0 from a corner kick. Delirium at the Ali Sami Yen and an excessive punishment for the blaugranes, who had also had their chances. Luckily, VAR raised its hand to disallow the Nigerian's goal due to the positional offside of two teammates who, as the referees saw it, were distracting Joan Garcia. Minutes later, in Cancelo's equalizer, Gordon was also in offside, but in this case he was not interfering in the play. Nuances that make the difference.