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The Barcelona star has been unstoppable for the Blaugrana in all competitions this season

Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been crucial to the Blaugrana since his debut season in LaLiga.

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Tasked with neutralising the 17-year-old prodigy at the Estadi Olímpic this weekend is Valencia captain and Yamal’s Spain teammate, José Gaya.

Gaya heaps praise on Yamal

Gayà, who has shared the international stage with Yamal over the past 16 months, recently shared insights into the young winger’s playing style and the strategy he plans to employ to keep him at bay.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Gaya praised Yamal’s extraordinary talent, saying, “I remember seeing him with the national team at the age of 16 and I was amazed.

“I said that he was going to be a player who was going to mark an era. If he’s not the best in the world, he’s one of the best.”

With his ability to effortlessly glide past defenders, Yamal has become one of Barcelona’s most dangerous attacking outlets, even during their recent struggles in La Liga.

Gaya’s plan to stop Yamal

The Barcelona winger has taken the football world by storm this season, racking up nine goals and 14 assists in just 26 appearances across all competitions.

Despite the daunting challenge, Gaya expressed confidence in his approach to countering Yamal, saying “You don’t know what is better—if you overtake him very quickly, leave him space, or defend very aggressively. He can come out on both sides.

“But the key is to make him go back towards his own goal. This type of player enjoys running forward, but when they have to run backward, not so much.”

With Valencia missing key defender Cristhian Mosquera, the responsibility of leading the backline against Barcelona falls heavily on Gaya’s shoulders.