Barcelona will face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitonic Stadium this Tuesday, April 14, in the decisive second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Atletico Madrid enters the match with a 2-0 advantage following their victory at the Camp Nou on April 8. That first leg featured goals from Alexander Sorloth and Julián Álvarez, according to CNN Chile.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal expressed high levels of confidence during a pre-match press conference. The young Spaniard specifically targeted the tactical approach of Atletico manager Diego Simeone.
“I feel very good and very motivated to make a difference. I hope I can make the difference. Let's see if Cholo does me a favor and puts me one-on-one with a player,” Yamal told reporters, according to La Tercera.
Yamal emphasized that the squad will not be intimidated by the defending champions. He noted that the team must maintain their intensity and avoid treating a comeback as a miracle.
“We started two-zero but we have to play as we know how to play,” Yamal said. “Fortunately, I am playing for Barcelona and we have a lot of quality. I don't think it will only be because of me, and if it were, I wouldn't mind. But I trust my team.”
Yamal also addressed the pressure of his rising stardom. He stated, “Since I was little, I have assumed more responsibilities than I should. I am used to it. I don't see it as a problem but as a virtue. I like the confidence my teammates give me.”
Tactical showdown in Madrid
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick believes a comeback is possible despite the uphill battle. He noted that the team is entirely focused on the task at hand.
“We believe we can do it, we believe in it and we are one hundred percent focused on this match. We can make it happen, make it possible. Why not? Obviously, we are playing against a very strong Atleti, with good defensive and offensive players,” Flick said, according to La Tercera.
Flick added that the team must capitalize on every opportunity, noting that the performance must differ significantly from the first leg.
Diego Simeone remained more reserved regarding the tactical setup. He dismissed pre-match speculation about his starting lineup, stating, “What can be thought of beforehand is imagination. After that, the match starts and faith, security and what we want to do appear. We are going to go after it, our objective is to move forward.”
The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 Chilean time. Viewers in South America can watch the broadcast live via the Disney+ Premium Plan, according to CNN Chile.
Both teams enter the clash with differing recent momentum. Atletico Madrid is coming off a 2-1 loss to Sevilla in LaLiga, while Barcelona recently defeated Espanyol 4-1 in the Catalan derby.
