Lamine Yamal suggested it was a weak part of Nico Williams' game that allowed him to score for Barcelona against Athletic Club.
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- Yamal scored against Athletic Club
- Williams didn't close down Barca star
- Catalans eventually claimed win
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Lamal scored the opening goal of Barcelona's 2-1 win in La Liga, stroking the ball in from the edge of the area, although it did take a slight deflection on the way into the net.
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- Getty Images Sport
THE BIGGER PICTURE
As the ball dropped to Yamal just over 20 yards from goal, the Athletic Club player who fronted him up was his Spain team-mate and close friend Williams. However, showing exactly why he is an attacker and not a defender, the 22-year-old didn't close the space and too easily allowed Yamal the opportunity to shoot. Oihan Sancet did equalise for the Bilbao visitors in the first-half, before Robert Lewandowski went on to win it with 15 minutes left.
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WHAT LAMINE YAMAL SAID
"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 told reporters.
"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."
- Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
As the days tick down on the summer transfer window, Williams looks all but certain to stay with Athletic Club after Barcelona's failed efforts to sign him. The priority for the Catalans is to offload players that will allow them to finally register Dani Olmo, who has had to miss two games since his big money arrival.
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