Nuno Mendes Faces the Challenge of Stopping Lamine Yamal
Luis Enrique’s ‘Side’ Problem
Lamine Yamal’s Feats Are Insane: Child’s Skillful Move Ends in a Penalty
Much of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona will be decided on the wings, and consequently, at the full-back positions. Luis Enrique won’t have his strongest asset on the right flank, as Achraf Hakimi is suspended due to card accumulation. However, on the left flank, his ace should be available, barring any last-minute setbacks: Nuno Mendes.
The Portuguese has proven to be one of PSG’s top acquisitions in the latter part of the season. He was injured when Galtier was still managing the team, and Luis Enrique couldn’t count on him until February 25. Since then, he has been gaining minutes and getting into rhythm.
FIRST KUBO “He’s a top-level player, fantastic both offensively and defensively,” said the Asturian about him hours before handing him the starting position in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Real Sociedad at Anoeta, where he successfully battled against a talent like Take Kubo.
In the first leg of the round of 16, held at Parc des Princes, Lucas Beraldo was chosen to cover the left-back position. With no Champions League experience and little time with the team, the Brazilian put in a solid performance against the Japanese, but his offensive contribution cannot be compared to what the Portuguese offers. Last season, he scored two goals and provided seven assists in 32 games played.
LAMINE YAMAL, THE ACID TEST But now the test will be extremely challenging: defending against Lamine Yamal. A nightmare for any full-back. Luis Enrique will have his best man for the job, provided nothing goes wrong, but the Barça attacker is in red-hot form.
The Rocafonda native amazed the world against Brazil. He was applauded at the Santiago Bernabéu at the age of 16, a situation experienced only by three other Barça players: Maradona in 1983, Ronaldinho in 2005, and Iniesta in 2015. A unique footballer who is increasingly unstoppable.
Capable of reviving Barça when they’re down, he performs with effortless naturalness and sees the game differently from the rest. This season he has six goals and seven assists, although his impact goes far beyond the numbers.
Nuno Mendes, who arrived in Paris in the summer of 2022 for €38 million, is only 21 years old and faces the challenge of leading the left flank of Parc des Princes for many years to come.
On April 10, he’ll face a player with exceptional technique, capable of controlling his body like few others, and who almost always chooses the best option. When Lamine has the ball, things happen. And the Portuguese will have to prevent it at all costs.
