According to reports, Carlo Ancelotti initially planned to use Eduardo Camavinga to neutralize Lamine Yamal, but the Frenchman’s season-ending injury has forced a change. This adds to Real Madrid’s defensive woes, as they have struggled on the left flank this season.

On the other hand, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has been a nightmare for opposing left-backs. So far, Yamal has faced Ferland Mendy, Fran García, and David Alaba without much difficulty.

Yamal has played in five El Clasicos. In the first two, he came off the bench, playing only 20 and 30 minutes (including stoppage time). Real won both matches: 2-1 in La Liga at Barcelona with two Jude Bellingham goals, and 4-1 in the Super Cup. Yamal had minimal impact in these games, completing just one of two dribbles. In the Super Cup, when Xavi subbed him in, Real was already leading 3-1 and extended their lead.

However, in the last three El Clasicos, Yamal started and had more opportunities to showcase his skills. In the first full match against Real in La Liga Week 32 at the Bernabéu, Barcelona lost 3-2. Nevertheless, Yamal displayed courage and skill. Camavinga, Real’s left-back in that game, received a yellow card for fouling Yamal in the 33rd minute. Yamal attempted five dribbles, completing four. Ancelotti subbed in Fran García for Camavinga in the 71st minute to contain Yamal, who won one duel and lost another against Fran.

In Barcelona’s 4-0 win at the Bernabéu in October, Yamal shone. Real had largely contained him; only one of his six dribbles on the right succeeded. But Yamal is dangerous even with minimal chances. He set up Lewandowski for a shot that hit the post and then scored a stunning right-footed goal in the 77th minute to make it 3-0. Mendy, marking him, couldn’t stop it. Fran replaced Mendy in the 86th minute, but Yamal was already off the pitch.

Mendy struggled again against Yamal. In the 21st minute, Yamal slipped past him and scored a delicate equalizer. Mendy won only one of three defensive duels. When Fran replaced Mendy, Yamal was already on the bench. As for Alaba, he played as a center-back in a La Liga match where Real won with two Bellingham goals, and Yamal had little impact. Now, Yamal has become a star feared by Real’s left-backs. If Real can effectively neutralize Yamal, their chances of winning the title will increase.