Simone Inzaghi Hails Lamine Yamal's Brilliance After Thrilling 3-3 Draw: "We Had to Put Three Players on Him!"

Simone Inzaghi Hails Lamine Yamal After Barcelona's Comeback Draw Against Inter

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi delivered high praise for Barcelona's teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal following a pulsating 3-3 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final clash. The Italian tactician remarked, “I haven't seen a player like Lamine in the last eight or nine years,” underlining just how rare and extraordinary the 17-year-old’s talent is. He further admitted, “We had to put three players on him!”—a testament to the winger’s uncontainable influence during the match.

The encounter at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys proved to be a spectacle. Inter Milan stunned the hosts within the opening minute as Marcus Thuram found the net with an audacious back-heel finish. The visitors extended their lead in the 21st minute when Denzel Dumfries converted with an acrobatic volley from a corner.

Barcelona, however, responded swiftly, with Lamine Yamal beginning the resurgence just three minutes later. The teenager cut in from the right and delivered a composed finish from inside the box to make it 2-1. Ferran Torres brought the hosts level before halftime, slotting home after being set up by a precise pass.

In the second half, Dumfries restored Inter’s lead with his second goal, capitalising on a defensive lapse. But Barcelona struck back once again, as Raphinha’s effort was parried by goalkeeper Yann Sommer and ended up in the net via a deflection—recorded as an own goal—to level the score at 3-3.

Yamal’s influence on the game was immense. Beyond his goal, he orchestrated attacks with maturity beyond his years, executing a dummy in the build-up to another goal and nearly scoring a second himself when a delicate lob clipped the crossbar. This game also marked a significant milestone for the young forward—it was his 100th professional appearance for Barcelona, making him the youngest player in the club’s history to reach that figure.

Inzaghi’s comments echoed growing admiration for the Spanish international. Spain captain Álvaro Morata stated, “I’ve never seen a player like him. He’s got everything it takes to make history,” reinforcing the view that Yamal could be destined for greatness. Similarly, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski expressed his awe, saying, “Honestly, I haven’t seen anyone like him. It’s not even about the talent itself, but the fact that he plays as if he were five or seven years older than he actually is.”