Argentina’s Tactical Strategy Against Rising Star Lamine Yamal

omidbasir- Argentina, the reigning champions, secured their title by defeating Italy 3-0 at Wembley in 2022, with notable goals from Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria, and Paulo Dybala. The 2026 edition of the tournament, originally slated for last year, is now scheduled to take place in March in Qatar.

As the tournament approaches, attention is shifting to how Argentina will manage Lamine Yamal, the exceptionally talented teenage winger who has quickly risen to prominence in global football. Yamal was awarded the 2025 Kopa Trophy during the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October and was a close runner-up for the main award, following Ousmane Dembele, after PSG’s Champions League victory over Inter last May.

In response, Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has devised a strategy to mitigate Yamal’s impact, as reported by DobleAmarilla. The plan involves deploying a diligent midfielder who will consistently drop back to provide support for the left-back, thus creating a numerical advantage that could limit Yamal’s effectiveness on the right flank. Despite facing intense marking in La Liga, Yamal has maintained impressive form, netting 10 goals and delivering eight assists while helping Barcelona compete for the top position.

Yamal will aim to enhance his statistics in the upcoming match against Girona on Monday night. Barcelona recently lost their lead in La Liga after Real Madrid’s dominant 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad.

A win against Girona would elevate Hansi Flick’s team back to the top of the standings. The German manager anticipates a strong response from his players following their recent defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey, where they suffered a staggering 4-0 loss at halftime. In that match, an own goal from Eric Garcia and goals from Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman, and Julian Alvarez established a commanding lead for Atletico.

Flick expressed disappointment with his team’s first-half performance, stating, “The first 45 minutes were not right. We did not exhibit the competitive attitude needed in every duel; they were far superior in terms of dynamics. This is what I expect from the team.”

Despite the setback, the Barcelona manager remains confident in his squad’s ability to rebound and contend for titles. He emphasized the critical importance of a cohesive team effort moving forward: “When we play as a unit, with everyone giving 100 percent, we possess enormous quality. Losses are inevitable, but it’s crucial to focus on our reactions. I expect to see that reaction in tomorrow’s match.”

Flick acknowledged the lesson his team learned from their defeat: “In the first half, we failed to play cohesively, with excessive distance between players, and did not execute our pressing strategy effectively. Sometimes a loss can be a timely lesson, and maybe today was that moment. I remain proud of my team’s overall season, despite today’s heavy loss, and I believe we will bounce back. We need to start strong in our games.”

He noted the greater determination displayed by Atletico players, stating, “They showed more will and hunger, which I expect from my team from the first minute. We have a second leg to contend with, and we will fight for it. If we can win each half by two goals, that is our objective. We will need the support of our fans at Camp Nou, and we will see what unfolds.”

Following the match against Girona, Barcelona will engage in consecutive home league games against Levante and Villarreal as they strive to defend their La Liga title successfully.