Lamine Yamal Channels LeBron, Neymar As Barcelona Eyes Champions League Comeback

[ad_1] Lamine Yamal is seeking to LeBron James for some inspiration as he tries to steer Barcelona to a Champions League comeback.

Barcelona visits Spanish rival Atletico Madrid on Tuesday needing to reverse a 2-0 loss from the primary leg of the quarterfinals at house final week.

Yamal modified his Instagram profile picture to a photograph of James embracing the NBA trophy following the Cleveland Cavaliers' win over the Golden State Warriors in 2016. James' Cleveland trailed 3-1 in that sequence earlier than successful the title.

"He’s one of many figures who can encourage me for this match," the 18-year-old Yamal mentioned in a information convention on Monday. "I’ll take into consideration how he did it and hopefully it really works out the identical for me."

Yamal additionally talked about one other one in every of his idols, Neymar, who led Barcelona to the historic comeback over Paris Saint-Germain within the spherical of 16 of the 2017 Champions League. Barcelona gained the second leg 6-1 at house after shedding 4-0 in France.

"I've watched (the 6-1 match) a number of instances, and I watched it stay as nicely," Yamal mentioned. "Neymar is a participant who was essential for me throughout my childhood. He is my idol and I am going to at all times be grateful to him for all the things he is given to soccer."

Yamal mentioned he hoped the 34-year-old Neymar would get in Brazil's World Cup squad. The striker is enjoying for Brazilian membership Santos and was not included by coach Carlo Ancelotti in the latest Brazil squad for warmup matches.

"He evokes everybody," Yamal mentioned of Neymar. "He is the kind of participant that you will pay a ticket to look at him play, the kind of participant you will watch a sport once more three days later simply to see his strikes. Hopefully he can be on the World Cup."

Potential Oblak increase Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak may make his return to the beginning lineup after being sidelined for greater than a month due to a muscle damage.

Atletico is hoping to succeed in the semifinals for the primary time since 2017.

Coach Diego Simeone didn't rule out Oblak's return although he hasn't performed since March 10 within the 5-2 win over Tottenham within the spherical of 16. The goalie has been training with the squad for the previous couple of days and is reportedly match to start out.

"I nonetheless have not informed the gamers who will begin," Simeone mentioned on Monday, including he will not doubtless make any announcement in regards to the beginning lineup till nearer to sport time on Tuesday.

Oblak injured a muscle towards Tottenham. Argentina goalkeeper Juan Musso has been his substitute since then, conceding 10 targets in six matches as a starter, together with two in Atletico's 2-1 loss at Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday.

Whoever begins should face a prolific Barcelona assault that features Yamal, Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford. Absent for Barcelona can be Raphinha due to a hamstring damage.

This would be the fifth match between Atletico and Barcelona in lower than two months. They've cut up the opposite 4 within the league, La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

"We're satisfied of what we'd like, and we’ll play the sport we have to," Simeone mentioned.

5-time European champion Barcelona made it to the semifinals final 12 months, when it was eradicated by eventual runner-up Inter Milan.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick mentioned his gamers have to be assured they will pull off the comeback.

"I consider in my crew and I feel we are able to do it. It’s potential," he mentioned. "I do know we're up towards a robust Atlético aspect with nice gamers. We have now to take our probabilities as that was the distinction within the first leg."

Flick didn't rule out midfielder Frenkie de Jong making his first begin after a protracted absence due to a hamstring damage.

Whoever advances on Tuesday will face Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon within the semifinals. Arsenal gained the primary leg 1-0 in Lisbon final week. Their second leg in England is on Wednesday.