I left the fear in the park

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal isn’t 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 by which 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 exceptional and the 17-year-old will make his a hundredth 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 right this moment, 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 isn’t 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 ideas 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 ultimate 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 ultimate, with the 2 rivals, you must exit and revel in it. I don’t put stress on myself, simply benefit from the second and provides it your all. I might 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 dropping focus, nevertheless.

He stated of his critics: “So long as I win, they will’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 cross sooner. I do these items as a result of I get bored at dwelling. That’s it.”

Saturday’s win over Madrid was vastly satisfying for the Blaugrana however boss Hansi Flick says the celebrations are achieved and their focus is skilled totally on Inter.

The German stated: “We’ve got had a gathering to see what we’ve to do and the way we will enhance by watching the sport in opposition to Actual Madrid. 

“We’ve got to provide our greatest model in each video games in opposition to Inter.

“We’re going to place the deal with the primary leg first. Inter is a really difficult rival, with probably the greatest defences in Europe. They’ve an excellent midfield and powerful forwards. Transitions are very harmful. It is going to be a tough sport and you must be ready.

“We’ve talked about what we’ve to alter. We’ve got to guard and canopy areas. You will need to have possession, make few errors and defend nicely.”

Flick confirmed Wojciech Szczesny will proceed in purpose with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen lacking out.