Atletico Madrid to target Lamine Yamal? Diego Simeone's Champions League gameplan to stop Barcelona reportedly revealed
(Courtesy : LaLiga)
Barca will face Atletico in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League tonight.
Diego Simeone, the head coach of Atletico Madrid, is reportedly working hard to get his team ready for the first leg of their quarterfinal Champions League match against Barcelona, according to DiarioSport.
According to the source, Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage wonder, is Atletico’s biggest worry. Simeone has given his team instructions to neutralise Yamal by using a variety of provocations in an effort to get him to receive a yellow card, which would result in his suspension for the second leg.
Lamine Yamal has been Barcelona’s primary offensive threat this season. He has made 41 appearances, contributing 16 assists and 21 goals. With five goals and four assists in the current Champions League season, Yamal is the team’s second-highest contributor in this competition.
Atletico Madrid manager tells players to provoke Lamine Yamal ahead of UCL clash
Yamal is one yellow card away from receiving an automatic one-match suspension, which would prevent him from playing in the return leg at the Metropolitano on April 14.
Raphinha’s hamstring injury will prevent him from playing in this game. FC Barcelona have already lost one of their two primary offensive threats. According to Atletico‘s plan, neutralising Lamine thus becomes a strategic priority.
Without both starting wingers, Barcelona’s assault loses a lot of its capacity to establish superiority on the sides at Riyadh Air Metropolitano, which is often a stronghold in European knockout matches.
In an attempt to emotionally engage the young Barcelona player and cause him to lose focus, players with experience in these kinds of duels may even engage in controlled provocations.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has insisted that Lamine maintain composure and refrain from responding to provocations. The German coach is aware, though, that Atletico will attempt to bring out a more aggressive Lamine.
Will Lamine Yamal play tonight?
Yes.
Where will the game be played?
It will be played at Camp Nou, Barcelona.
Will Yamal be suspended for the second leg?
If he picks a yellow card in the quarter-final first leg.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.