OMM Newsroom
Sabah defender Tymoteusz Puchacz has spoken about the UEFA Champions League league-phase match against Barcelona in Baku on November 25. In an interview with Kanal Sportowy, the Polish player outlined how he might try to stop Lamine Yamal.
The 27-year-old defender said he watches Barcelona’s matches and that Yamal poses a threat whichever direction he attacks. According to Puchacz, the winger can cut inside to shoot or move to the left, use a small gap and send the ball into the top corner. Puchacz said he did not yet know the ideal way to stop him, adding that perhaps he would have to stay close to him throughout.
Puchacz’s defensive plan
The Sabah player said preventing Yamal from accelerating would be a team effort. He said he would try to stay as close to his opponent as possible, give him no space, apply physical pressure and prevent him from receiving the ball comfortably.
Puchacz cited Newcastle defender Lewis Hall’s performance against Yamal as an example. He said he might watch that match again before facing Barcelona. The defender called playing against a footballer of Yamal’s calibre valuable experience, adding that stopping him two or three times would also count as a victory.
Sabah lost 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund on October 20. Puchacz provided an assist in that match but was unhappy with the result, saying his team could have earned a draw. Sabah will face Norway’s Viking on November 4. The Sabah-Barcelona match will kick off at 21:45 at Baku Olympic Stadium.
