Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal will not be afraid of the problem of dealing with 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 during which Yamal grew up when spending time along with his father earlier than he was snapped up by Barca and moved to La Masia.
His progress thereafter has been exceptional and the 17-year-old will make his one centesimal Barca look in opposition to Inter at Camp Nou within the first leg of their last-four tie tomorrow evening. Within the first 99, he has scored 21 targets and supplied 27 assists.
Talking at this time, 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 will not be solely displayed in the best way he performs, but in addition the boldness he tasks 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 further 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 last in opposition to Actual Madrid in Seville- which Barca gained 3-2 in additional time – and can begin tomorrow in opposition to Inter.
He added: “I wouldn’t name it stress. An environment like that of the cup last, with the 2 rivals, you must 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 reside it once more.”
Critics don’t matter so long as Barcelona are profitable
Yamal dyed his hair blond earlier than the Madrid recreation and seems to be getting extra accustomed to his celebrity standing.
That doesn’t imply he’s shedding focus, nevertheless.
He stated of his critics: “So long as I win, they’ll’t inform me something. After 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 sooner. I do this stuff as a result of I get bored at residence. That’s it.”
Saturday’s win over Madrid was massively satisfying for the Blaugrana however boss Hansi Flick says the celebrations are finished and their focus is educated absolutely on Inter.
The German stated: “Now we have 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.
“Now we have 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 difficult rival, with the most effective defences in Europe. They’ve an excellent midfield and powerful forwards. Transitions are very harmful. Will probably be a tough recreation and you must be ready.
“We’ve talked about what we have now to alter. Now we have to guard and canopy areas. It is very important have possession, make few errors and defend properly.”
Flick confirmed Wojciech Szczesny will proceed in purpose with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen lacking out.
