‘It’s not over’ – Lamine Yamal confident Barcelona can stage UCL comeback vs Atletico Madrid
Lamine Yamal has insisted FC Barcelona still have a realistic chance of overturning their deficit against Atlético Madrid, stressing that a comeback should not be viewed as extraordinary.
The 18-year-old winger was speaking ahead of the decisive second leg at the Metropolitano, where Barcelona must recover from a 2-0 first-leg defeat to reach the semi-finals.
“We’re eager to reach the semi-finals and we’ll give everything to do it,” Yamal said. “We have to play our way, with intensity but without giving up our style.”
Confidence remains despite first-leg setback
Yamal dismissed suggestions that a turnaround would require something special, instead framing it as an achievable task if Barcelona execute properly.
“A comeback is no miracle. We start 2-0 down, but I trust my team. We’re convinced it’s not over and that a comeback is very possible,” he added.
The teenager also underlined the collective responsibility within the squad, pushing back against the idea that the burden rests solely on his shoulders.
“I see myself as one of the leaders, but not the only one. We have world-class players capable of turning the tie around,” he said.
Inspiration and mindset ahead of clash
Yamal revealed he draws motivation from LeBron James, referencing the NBA star’s history of comebacks in high-pressure situations.
“He’s one of the figures who can inspire me for this match. I’ll think about how much he did it and hopefully it works out the same for me,” he noted.
The Barcelona forward also pointed to Neymar as a long-time influence, recalling the club’s famous 6-1 comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.
“I’ve watched that 6-1 many times. Ney defined my childhood, he’s my idol,” Yamal said.
Focus on executing team’s tactics
Despite the confidence, Yamal acknowledged the tactical challenge posed by Atlético’s defensive structure, often involving multiple defenders closing him down.
Still, his message to supporters is: “We’ll run until the final minute. We’ll play, we’ll fight, right to the end.”