The forward of the Catalan giant “Barcelona”, Lamine Yamal, shared his thoughts ahead of the second-leg match against “Atletico” in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. After a 0:2 defeat in the first meeting, the “blue-and-claret” side faces a serious challenge in Madrid.
The young but already under significant pressure Yamal is paying special attention to psychological preparation before this important clash. He noted that it was not by chance that he set a photo of LeBron James holding the NBA trophy as his social media avatar.
The footballer did not hide that he is using this as motivation:
— LeBron is one of those people who can inspire me for the upcoming match, that’s why I chose him. I think about how he managed in the NBA with his team to turn a series around from 1:3 to 4:3. It is a real example of willpower. I hope the same will happen for me, — said Yamal.
Photo: Getty Images
In his opinion, the current “Barcelona” squad has enough players capable of changing the course of the game. Yamal emphasized that he does not see himself as the only leader of the team, but rather believes that all players must fight together for the result.
Speaking about responsibility, the young winger said:
— I am happy to play for a club like “Barcelona”. Here there are world-class footballers with high quality, great experience, and players who prove their level every year. Therefore, I do not think the game depends only on me. But even if it does, I am not against it. We have many players in our team who can step up, and that is why I trust the team.
Indeed, the upcoming match for “Barcelona” is one of the decisive games that could define the fate of the season. Making a comeback will not be easy, but in football nothing is impossible.
For information, the return leg will take place on April 14 in Madrid at the “Metropolitano” stadium. Now all eyes are on this match — can “Barça” perform a miracle, or will “Atletico” keep its advantage?
