Every action Lamine Yamal executes oozes excellence. At times when he is walking about looking dejected, which he showed often at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the casual style of a star. He caresses the ball rather than hitting it, generating impressive power from limited back-lift. He operates on the balls of his feet, always vigilant, repeatedly able to go either way. He moves smoothly rather than sprints, but does so at speed. He has already ended up as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the finest 18-year-old right-wing forward on the pitch on Tuesday, nowhere near.
Emerging Star Estêvão Leaves His Mark
In Estevao, recruited from Palmeiras for a fee that could climb to £52m, Chelsea have secured a player who could evolve as one of the very best. He has been making more and more of an impact since netting the dying moments winner against Liverpool last month. His previous four starts for Chelsea have yielded four goals, and he also found the net in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break. It’s very early, but Brazil may eventually have uncovered the player they keenly wanted to have found in Neymar.
Estêvão spectacular goal lights up Chelsea’s statement win over 10-man Barcelona
Estêvão’s goal, executed after 55 minutes to absolutely seal a win that hadn’t fully been in doubt from the moment the Barcelona captain was sent off just before half-time, was a exemplary. In part, it was about Chelsea regaining the ball back and a teammate's pass, but mainly it was about the Brazilian darting at incredible speed, feinting left and right, brushing off opponents and lashing a shot high past the goalkeeper.
Face-to-Face Battle and Powerful Superiority
The taunt of “You’re just a inferior Estevao,” directed at Lamine Yamal may have been extremely harsh on the Spaniard, and may not have rhymed, but there was no doubting which of the two had prevailed.
Estêvão is 80 days older and has played 22 games fewer but at the moment he looks a more durable player – and consistent Premier League experience is only expected to amplify that.
It’s been a feature of the Champions League this season just how much of a athletic edge Premier League teams have over their European rivals. Liverpool have had issues physically in the Premier League this season but dominated Real Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao essentially by having some more physical blokes to challenge for balls in the box.
And Chelsea, after some shaky moments in the opening quarter, by the middle point of the first half had taken control on Barcelona. The tactic of using Pedro Neto and his pace through the middle was emphatically justified.
Dead-Ball Dominance and Backline Solidity
The opener had felt close for at least five minutes before it came. It was no big surprise it came from a dead-ball situation, an area of the game in which it seems like Premier League clubs are operating with diamonds while the rest of the world is still using ordinary items. Barcelona can’t score a normal own goal, of course, but have to enhance it with a one-two in a confined space and a fancy flick. However ornate the finish, though, the reason was a smooth interchange from a corner that generated space for a Chelsea player to cross for Enzo Fernández.
But the advantage doesn’t just show from an goal-scoring point of view. Lamine Yamal got the better of Marc Cucurella only occasionally and seemed at times shocked, perhaps even demoralized by a couple of tackles.
That frustration would have serious consequences as it led to Lamine Yamal falling over Cucurella’s leg in an attempt to win a free-kick, which in turn led to the Barcelona captain being booked for his complaints. When the defender – remained angry? Mindful of his side’s weaknesses? Outmaneuvered? – dived at the opponent a few minutes later the outcome was unavoidable and effectively decided the game.
Tactical Variations and Closing Conclusion
Perhaps Barcelona could have dug in, shielded in a low block and hoped to snatch something on the break, as Everton had done at Manchester United on Monday, but it’s hard to picture two managers more contrasting in attitude than David Moyes and the Barcelona coach.
A team organized to defend with a line as high as Barcelona’s really has no escape when they are cut down to 10. They retreated a bit, but Chelsea still kept advancing into the space behind the back line, got a third from a substitute and, if they’d truly needed to, could possibly have notched a couple more.
It’s only the initial phase and things can evolve in the spring as built-up fatigue begins to weaken at English sides but the pattern of Premier League dominance through speed and strength is evident.
Lamine Yamal was replaced with 10 minutes left, wandering to the bench with a sense of sorrowful acceptance, pursued by a few of unenthusiastic jeers. But there was no need to taunt him; the fight was already over and decisively so. Estêvão, the undeniable victor, departed the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His were the honours, and Chelsea’s the victory.
