FC Barcelona star striker Lamine Yamal jokingly asked Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone to make it easy for him ahead of their all-important UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday. The young winger, who replaced his social media picture with a picture of LeBron James clutching the Larry O’Brien Trophy, hopes to perform and inspire his team in a similar way to help his team qualify for the next round.
Barcelona head into the second leg and find themselves in a precarious position. Not only are they without their star striker Raphinha, but they will also be without defender Pau Cubarsi after he was sent off in the first leg. Despite the odds being in Atletico’s favour, Lamine Yamal believes both he and Barcelona remain confident in their ability to beat Atletico in their own backyard. But to make matters worse, Barcelona has they have never beaten their La Liga counterparts Atletico in a two-leg Champions League match.
“I feel very good, with a lot of desire. I’m motivated. I hope I can make a difference in that Cholo (Simeone) will do me a favor and put me one-on-one against some players,” the youngster said in a pre-match press conference, as quoted by Yahoo Sports.
This sentiment was echoed by his manager Hansi Flick, who believes in Lamine’s ability to help break down Atletico’s solid defence. “He is one of the best in one-on-one situations and we have to help him and give him opportunities. We have to play as a team, that’s the key tomorrow. I’m not worried about individual performances anymore. We have many quality players, but so are they. I said games are often decided by moments and I hope we get one tomorrow,” said Flick.
Yamal also reinforced his conviction through his social media channels as he took to Instagram to send a clear message to Simeone and his team. “This is not the end, culers (Barca fans). We will give everything in return. All together, always,” Yamal said.
DEFICIENCY OF THE FIRST LEG
At 18, the young star has been key to his team’s domestic success and helped revive Europe. However, Barcelona were stunned by Atletico Madrid last week, Los Colchoneros secured a 2-0 win at Camp Nou in the first leg marred by VAR. It started when Pau Cubarsi tripped the onrushing Giovanni Simeone on the edge of the box. After VAR intervention, the red card was upheld and Julian Alvarez scored the resulting free kick.
Barcelona struggled to push Atlético back, with Lamine Yamal a constant threat down the right wing. However, a low block from Simeone prevented Barca from finding an equalizer and Alexander Sürloth eventually doubled the lead by slotting home from six yards. Barcelona will now hope to defy Simeone and his defensive tactics to keep their European dream alive, a trophy they haven’t won since their 2014/15 treble. Barcelona travel to the Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid in the UCL (Photo Reuters)
WHERE TO WATCH ATLETICO vs BARCELONA?
The second leg between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will be played at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain.
The match is scheduled for April 14, kick-off is set for 21:00 local time. For viewers in India, that means it starts at 12:30 PM IST in the early hours of April 15.
HOW TO WATCH ATLETICO vs BARCELONA?
The Champions League quarter-final match between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India.
Fans can also stream the match live on the Sony LIV app and website.
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Published on:
14th April 2026 18:00 IST
