Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal shouldn’t be afraid of the problem of going through Inter Milan within the semi-finals of the Champions League, insisting he “left the worry within the park in Mataro a very long time in the past”.
Mataro is the Catalonian city wherein Yamal grew up when spending time together with his father earlier than he was snapped up by Barca and moved to La Masia.
His progress thereafter has been outstanding and the 17-year-old will make his a centesimal Barca look in opposition to Inter at Camp Nou within the first leg of their last-four tie tomorrow night time. Within the first 99, he has scored 21 targets and supplied 27 assists.
Talking at present, the winger stated: “At my age, few gamers have performed so many video games in a membership like Barça and that’s what I worth most. Taking part in at this degree and in a membership like Barça, not simply anybody can do it.”
Confidence not an issue for bullish Yamal
His fearless strategy shouldn’t be solely displayed in the best way he performs, but in addition the boldness he initiatives to the media.
“I left the worry within the park in Mataró a very long time in the past,” he stated, earlier than additionally dismissing strategies the magnitude of the stage he now occupies beings extra stress.
🎙️ LAMINE YAMAL: “I left worry behind in Mataró a very long time in the past.”#BarçaInter @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/BbzVM2rBJo
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 29, 2025
Yamal performed in Saturday’s tempestuous Copa del Rey closing in opposition to Actual Madrid in Seville- which Barca gained 3-2 in further time – and can begin tomorrow in opposition to Inter.
He added: “I wouldn’t name it stress. An environment like that of the cup closing, with the 2 rivals, you need to exit and luxuriate in it. I don’t put stress on myself, simply benefit from the second and provides it your all. I’d like to stay it once more.”
Critics don’t matter so long as Barcelona are profitable
Yamal dyed his hair blond earlier than the Madrid sport and seems to be getting extra accustomed to his celebrity standing.
That doesn’t imply he’s shedding focus, nonetheless.
He stated of his critics: “So long as I win, they’ll’t inform me something. Once we don’t win, sure.”
On his new bleached look, and his elevated exercise on social media, he added: “I do these issues to make time move quicker. I do this stuff as a result of I get bored at dwelling. That’s it.”
Saturday’s win over Madrid was massively satisfying for the Blaugrana however boss Hansi Flick says the celebrations are executed and their focus is skilled absolutely on Inter.
The German stated: “We have now had a gathering to see what we have now to do and the way we are able to enhance by watching the sport in opposition to Actual Madrid.
“We have now to provide our greatest model in each video games in opposition to Inter.
“We’re going to place the give attention to the primary leg first. Inter is a really sophisticated rival, with the most effective defences in Europe. They’ve an excellent midfield and robust forwards. Transitions are very harmful. It is going to be a troublesome sport and you need to be ready.
“We’ve talked about what we have now to alter. We have now to guard and canopy areas. It is very important have possession, make few errors and defend effectively.”
Flick confirmed Wojciech Szczesny will proceed in objective with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen lacking out.
