‘Difficult to handle’: Inzaghi’s Yamal conundrum

Inter Milan face a monumental task in their Champions League semifinal second leg against Barcelona — and the name on everyone's lips is none other than Lamine Yamal.

At just 16 years old, the Barcelona prodigy has turned Europe's biggest stage into his playground, and in doing so, he's left one of Serie A's most seasoned tacticians visibly exasperated.

Yamal made history in the first leg by becoming the youngest player ever to score in a Champions League semifinal. But more than just a record, it was his all-around performance — dazzling dribbles, incisive passing, and blistering pace — that sent alarm bells ringing across the Inter dugout.

"I've never seen a player like Lamine Yamal in the last 8-9 years," admitted Simone Inzaghi after the 3-3 thriller in the first leg. "We had to put three on him and, obviously, spaces opened up elsewhere."

The admission was striking. Inter had planned for Barcelona's fluid attack, but nothing could prepare them for the teenager who seemed to glide past defenders with an uncanny sense of awareness and timing.

"He caused us huge problems. Doubling up wasn't enough. Tripling up meant we had to sit deeper and left gaps elsewhere," Inzaghi continued. "We'll try to keep the ball from reaching him — but it's not always possible."

Even Alessandro Bastoni, one of Inter's most composed defenders, conceded the difficulty of marking Yamal. Speaking to Di Marzio, Bastoni said: "He is the strongest I have ever played against. I was impressed by the level he has reached. In terms of creating chances, he's the best."

Now, with the tie hanging in the balance and everything to play for in the second leg at the San Siro, Inzaghi is faced with a dilemma: find a way to contain a generational talent or watch his team get carved open again.

Asked ahead of the match if Inter would try a new strategy to stop Yamal, Inzaghi was candid: "It's difficult to handle him. We will try to limit the ball getting to him, but it is impossible. He will be doubled, but we know he is very dangerous. He thinks so quickly, it's unbelievable."

On the left flank, Inter might consider adjusting their setup. "We'll see tomorrow," Inzaghi added. "Dimarco and Carlos Augusto have also played together. It's fair for us to concentrate on Yamal, but Barcelona have lots of quality players."

Indeed, Barcelona's strength doesn't end with Yamal. But his emergence has become the focal point of a tactical chess match that Inter are struggling to win.

As the teams prepare for Wednesday's showdown, one thing is certain: Inter's game plan starts — and might end — with Lamine Yamal.