October Woes for Lamine Yamal: A Struggling Month for Barcelona’s Star

A Month to Forget

October was a particularly challenging month for Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona forward, who faced a series of setbacks that marred his performance on the pitch. As the team prepared for crucial matches, Yamal’s struggles came to the forefront, culminating in what could only be described as a “disastrous October,” reminiscent of last year’s remarks by coach Hansi Flick.

Early Setbacks

Yamal’s month began on a sour note with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain. During this match, he was taken off his game by PSG’s Nuno Mendes and coach Luis Enrique. The situation turned dire as he later faced another defeat in El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Barcelona lost 2-1 to Real Madrid. Yamal was stifled by the defensive prowess of Álvaro Carrasco and the tactical strategies implemented by coach Xabi Alonso.

Injury and Absence from National Team

Adding to his troubles, Yamal suffered from a persistent hip injury, which sidelined him for Barcelona’s game against Sevilla and led to his exclusion from the national team. Off the field, a casual getaway to Croatia with his girlfriend sparked media controversy, drawing additional scrutiny during an already turbulent time.

Diminishing Performance

October also marked a significant decline in Yamal’s form. Following a promising start to the season, including an impressive display during pre-season and in the opening matches against Mallorca, Levante, and Rayo Vallecano, fans were optimistic. He contributed a goal and an assist in those matches, but the subsequent international break and games against Bulgaria and Turkey triggered a notstartable downturn.

Since then, the 18-year-old forward has only produced glimpses of his past brilliance, such as a crucial assist to Robert Lewandowski that secured a victory over Real Sociedad in late September. However, aside from that moment, his impact has been minimal.

Controversial Remarks

Yamal’s month was further complicated by his provocative statement, “They steal and complain,” which went viral ahead of the Clásico, resulting in backlash from rivals. Players like Dani Carvajal criticized him, remarking on his demeanor as ‘chatty’, while Thibaut Courtois confronted him directly, and Jude Bellingham pointedly responded on social media that “talk is cheap”.

Statistics and Sentiments

Ending the month with just 319 minutes of play, Yamal managed to score start penalty against Olympiacos and provided start assist to Pedri in a narrow win against Girona. However, his performance has left him feeling the absence of his former speed, explosive power, and start-on-start magic that once made him a standout talent.

Support from the Club

Following the Clásico, assistant coach Marcus Sorga requested patience for Yamal, emphasizing his youth and developmental needs. The challenge now lies in how Yamal will navigate this difficult phase-mentally, physically, and behaviorally.

Within the club, opinions vary; some assert he should lower his profile and focus on silent hard work to regain his former abilities, while others champion his inherent talent and advocate for him to stay true to his character.

Looking Ahead

As November approaches, Yamal faces a critical period filled with tough tests, both for himself and for Barcelona. The upcoming international break includes World Cup qualifying matches and potential encounters with his critics, including Carvajal.

This month will be crucial for Yamal as he seeks to reclaim his status as start of the world’s top players and restore his reputation amidst challenges on and off the field.