"That's a hardship for a young man" - Shaka Hislop identifies what could be 'frustrating' Lamine Yamal at Barcelona

Former Premier League star Shaka Hislop has highlighted why Lamine Yamal could be frustrated despite being the shining light at Barcelona. The 18-year-old superstar produced another moment of magic for the LaLiga giants during their 3-3 draw against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

After the hosts took a 2-1 lead in Belgium, Yamal beat two defenders with a neat piece of skill, and then exchanged a pass with Dani Olmo, before getting the better of another Club Brugge star and firing home the equaliser. But despie his heroics, Barcelona ended up conceding just two minutes later, when Carlos Forbs completed his brace. Christos Tzolis' own goal in the 77th minute ensured the Blaugrana walked away with a point, but it was a game they could have easily lost.

In the wake of their performance against Club Brugge, the Catalans have once again received criticism for the high defensive line adopted by Hansi Flick. Both goals from Forbs came after he used his pace to get in behind the visitors' defence.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Hislop started off by tipping his hat to Yamal for making a big difference for Barcelona. The former Newcastle United goalkeeper believes the Spaniard makes football look so easy on the pitch.

Hislop stated:

“What a special player Lamine Yamal is in terms of changing a game, dragging a team back into the game. Sometimes it’s playground stuff. He just makes his game look so easy. And then you go to a point where you go away from home, you score three goals and yet, you really should have lost!"

The former Trinidad and Tobago shot-stopper also went on to claim that Yamal would be frustrated at how the Barcelona defence operated a high line even after he had restored parity for the team. Hislop went as far as to claim Yamal is the only reason why fans can feel good about this Barca setup under Flick.

He addded:

"That has to be frustrating on any attacking force, especially in one where a teenager is carrying it like the way he is doing it. That’s a hardship for a young man. Thank goodness for him, I’m not sure that there’s anything else in this Barcelona setup that you can really feel good about.”

Barcelona are currently 11th in the Champions League standings with two wins, a draw and a loss from their four games.

---

Lamine Yamal addresses Lionel Messi comparisons after goal for Barcelona against Club Brugge

The comparisons between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal never ends. As expected, after his brilliant goal against Club Brugge, Yamal was asked by the reporters about him being similar to the club legend. However, Yamal opted to distance himself from such comparisons.

He stated:

"Comparisons with Messi’s goals? No, no. Messi has scored thousands of goals like this, so I can't compare myself to him. I'm just trying to improve and go my own way."

Messi is the all-time leading goalscorer for Barcelona with 672 goals in 778 appearances across all competitions. Yamal has netted 30 goals in 116 matches for the Catalan club.

Edited by Nived Zenith