Lamine Yamal says he is “happy again” and playing with freedom at just the right time as Barcelona prepare for their Copa del Rey semifinal second leg against Atlético Madrid.
The 18-year-old forward will be heading into the decisive clash in peak form after scoring the first senior hat trick of his career at the weekend, a performance he described as a moment of personal relief and renewed joy.
“I’m happy again,” Yamal said after the match. “I’m enjoying myself, and that’s the most important thing.”
His treble came in a commanding league display against Villarreal in LaLiga, and it showed how important he is to the team, especially at this crucial stage of the season. Yamal, however, has admitted to feeling the weight of expectation in recent months, which has led to his decline in sharpness.
“I always try to help the team,” he said. “When things don’t come off, you keep working. Today everything went well.
“I just want to enjoy my football,” he said. “When I’m smiling on the pitch, I play my best.”
Barcelona will hope that everything goes well when they welcome Atlético de Madrid to the Spotify Camp Nou for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal. The Catalan side is attempting to overturn a heavy first-leg deficit.
Yamal has kept up an optimistic front, however, and has urged fans to believe in a comeback. In a social media post that quickly went viral among fans, he wrote: “1% chance, 99% faith.”
Speaking after his treble against the Yellow Submarines at the weekend, he echoed that sentiment. “If there’s a chance, we’ll fight until the end,” he said. “We’re Barça. We have to believe.”
Flick also says with Yamal in this type of form, anything is possible.
“Sometimes the opponent plays two or three players against him,” Flick said. “You could feel he did not have the confidence at times, the dynamic for this one against one situation. I am happy for today; it has to give him confidence, and when he enjoys playing, it’s perfect for him and also for us.”
“I think everyone saw his performance today,” the German tactician added. “The first [goal] he needed to come into the game, and what happened after that was exceptional.
“Lamine on this level is fantastic for us. We need him on this level on Tuesday. This is what I want to see.”
