Lamine Yamal shares strategy behind exploiting Nico Williams’ vulnerability for Barcelona goal

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Lamine Yamal scored the opening goal in Barcelona’s 2-1 La Liga victory, firing from the edge of the box with a slight deflection helping the ball into the net.

When the ball reached Yamal about 20 yards from goal, he faced his Spain teammate and close friend, Nico Williams, from Athletic Club. However, Williams, not known for his defensive prowess, left enough space for Yamal to take the shot. Athletic Club’s Oihan Sancet equalized in the first half, but Robert Lewandowski sealed the win with a goal 15 minutes from time.

“I’m very happy with the team’s victory. It’s important to get off to a good start in the first home game,” Yamal said after the match. “I saw Nico coming, who is not very intense in defence, and I saw the gap to shoot. I’m thinking about looking ahead. Games are won with goals and the more we can score, the better. Nico and I are good friends.”

As the summer transfer window nears its end, Williams appears set to remain with Athletic Club following Barcelona’s unsuccessful bid to sign him. Barcelona’s current focus is on offloading players to make room to register Dani Olmo, who has missed two games since his high-profile transfer.

Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana

Forwarder, Midfielder

Spain

Age: 17

178 cm

kg

Season 2024/2025
Played 2 0 Missed
Minutes 176 88.0 Avg
Goals 1 0.5 Avg
Assist 1 0.5 Avg
Attempt 12 6.0 Avg
Passes 81 40.583.0% AvgSucc
Yellow 0 0.0 Avg
Red 0 0.0 Avg

This season he played in total twice for 176 minutes for La Liga.

Lamine Yamal scored 1 goal for FC Barcelona. He procured one assist. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.

His team is currently 2nd in La Liga. In the last match FC Barcelona won 2-1 against Athletic Club. The next match in La Liga will be against Rayo Vallecano.

FC Barcelona performance and stats

FC Barcelona

Manager: Hans-Dieter Flick
Rank 2nd
Win 2
Draw 0
Loss 0
Goals 4-2
Diff 2
This season

FC Barcelona is currently 2nd in the La Liga with 6 points.

It has a positive goal difference after scoring 4 goals and conceding 2.​

FC Barcelona will play the next match in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday 27th of August in Madrid. The prediction is FC Barcelona winning the match.​

Nico Williams

Nicholas Williams Arthuer

Forwarder, Midfielder

Spain

Age: 22

181 cm

kg

Season 2024/2025
Played 2 0 Missed
Minutes 108 54.0 Avg
Goals 0 0.0 Avg
Assist 0 0.0 Avg
Attempt 5 2.5 Avg
Passes 24 12.067.0% AvgSucc
Yellow 0 0.0 Avg
Red 0 0.0 Avg

This season he played in total twice for 108 minutes for La Liga.

Nico Williams didn’t score any goal for Athletic Club. He procured no assists. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.

His team is currently 16th in La Liga. In the last match Athletic Club lost 2-1 against FC Barcelona. The next match in La Liga will be against Valencia.

Athletic Club performance and stats

Athletic Club

Manager: Ernesto Valverde Tejedor
Rank 16th
Win 0
Draw 1
Loss 1
Goals 2-3
Diff -1
Top 3 Scorers
This season

Athletic Club is currently 16th in the La Liga with 1 points.

In the last 2 games, it has drawn once and lost once. In its last match, Athletic Club lost 2-1 against FC Barcelona.​​

It has a negative goal difference after scoring 2 goals and conceding 3.​

Athletic Club will play the next match in La Liga against Valencia on Wednesday 28th of August in Bilbao. The prediction is Athletic Club winning the match.​

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