Five days after being frustrated by Lucas Hernandez, Lamine Yamal has the opportunity to respond when Barcelona face Real Madrid, with international team-mate Marc Cucurella tasked with stopping the winger in today’s El Clasico.

Yamal’s standards have risen so high that an underwhelming display now attracts unusual attention. That was the case against Hernandez, despite the France defender’s own mixed performance.

Hernandez recorded three successful tackles from three attempts, three recoveries and one interception. However, he won only five of 11 duels, committed three fouls and made the positional error that allowed Xavi Espart to equalise.

Yamal was at fault for playing out from the back in the move that led to Desire Doue’s opening goal, but his overall contribution was more positive than the initial impression suggested. As well as scoring an outstanding goal, he showed his value in both attack and defence.

Hernandez’s main aim was to stop Yamal from turning and driving forward. By denying him the chance to face the pitch, he forced the Barcelona winger to rely on quick, one-touch lay-offs instead.

Cucurella must now attempt to reproduce that approach, although he offers a different profile. The full-back came through at La Masia but does not possess Hernandez’s physical strength or the centre-back’s instinct for imposing himself in direct battles with Yamal.

The absence of Jules Kounde, described as probably Cucurella’s best partner, should allow Espart to start. That selection also reflects a degree of familiarity between them: both were born in 2007 and spent several years together in the youth categories before Yamal moved into the first team four years ago.

Can Real Madrid provide enough support?

One of Paris Saint-Germain’s most effective methods was to overload the left side. Willian Pacho, Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha helped provide that support, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was also involved before suffering a serious injury.

Real Madrid will need to decide whether it can offer Cucurella comparable assistance. The Merengues allow opponents to take a large number of shots and have depended heavily on Thibaut Courtois, who saves an average of three out of every four attempts.

Yamal’s threat comes not only from taking on defenders. He repeatedly makes runs, links with team-mates and shifts around the opposition’s defensive structure, creating problems for an entire block. Real Madrid’s combinations will need to be precise enough to restrict that influence.

The Vikings enter the match with renewed confidence after winning their past four games in all competitions. They will approach the Clasico believing they can secure a result.

For Cucurella, the challenge is considerable. Real Madrid cannot afford to lose, and how effectively he contains Yamal could play a major part in deciding the outcome.