Lamine Yamal defies PSG with 'Paris, I'm coming' ahead of Champions League clash

Lamine Yamal chose social media to open hostilities before PSG-Barcelona. Arriving in Paris on Monday, the Catalan prodigy posted “Paris, I’m coming” on Jules Koundé’s Snapchat, less than 24 hours before the kickoff of the clash on matchday 3 of the Champions League league phase, Tuesday evening at Parc des Princes.

The message is far from trivial given the current form of the 17-year-old player: 9 goals and 10 assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season. Yamal is shaping up as the number one threat to the Paris defence.

Questioned at a pre-match press conference, Luis Enrique responded with a formula that sums up his philosophy. “It’s very simple. The best way to defend against Lamine Yamal is to have the ball,” said the PSG manager. “If you have the ball, he doesn’t have it, so everything is calm and peaceful.” The Spaniard nevertheless tempered his remarks by insisting on the collective dimension: “We stay focused on what we can do to overcome and defend against a team with a lot of quality. You have to be attentive and overcome that with the team, not with just one player.”

The duel between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona, two of the most decorated clubs in the competition in recent years, is expected to be the standout fixture of this European matchday. For the Parisians, the challenge is to confirm their strong start in the Champions League against a Barça side led by their prodigy winger.