PSG coach Luis Enrique explains 'best way to defend against Lamine Yamal' before Champions League clash vs Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) head coach Luis Enrique has explained how teams can stop Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal. The reigning European champions take on Hansi Flick's Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Lamine Yamal is in scintillating form for Barcelona. The 19-year-old scored an incredible goal and grabbed an assist on Saturday, as the La Liga leaders beat Real Betis 5-2 in Seville.

Across competitions, Lamine Yamal has now directly contributed to 19 goals in 11 appearances for Barcelona this season. These are understandably incredible numbers, with the forward also being viewed as one of the front-runners to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or next week.

Enrique is aware of the threat that Lamine Yamal will carry when his team lock horns with the Catalans at the Parc des Princes. But he highlighted how keeping the ball in possession and away from Flick's team is the best bet to keep the star forward quiet on the pitch.

The former Barca coach also insisted PSG must work as a unit and defend collectively against players like Yamal. Enrique stated: "The best way to defend against Lamine is to keep possession of the ball and prevent them from getting it.

And when you face a team with players of this quality, you have to overcome them through the entire team." PSG secured a 4-2 win over Manchester City in the Champions League last week. They sit top of the Champions League points table, above Barcelona only on the basis of scoring more goals.

Luis Enrique offers opinion on Barcelona star Lamine Yamal being compared with Lionel Messi Thanks to his meteoric rise from La Masia to the football world's biggest of stages, Lamine Yamal has always been compared to Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is widely regarded as one of the greatest ever players and Enrique won the Champions League with him in the team at Barcelona.

Addressing the comparisons between the two, Enrique claimed that no one will win in the debate of being as good as Lionel Messi. The PSG coach heaped praise on Yamal for what he has done at this age, but stressed that such comparisons should not be made.

Enrique wants the world to let Lamine be himself rather than the next Messi.