Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is confident, his team is now the favorite to win the 2024/2025 Champions League. Following Liverpool’s elimination in the last 16.
Liverpool were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain after losing 1-4 on penalties (1-1 aggregate) in the second leg. It is undeniable, the Reds were anticlimactic even though they were superior in the league phase by finishing top after winning seven of eight matches.
On the other hand, Barca landed safely in the quarter-finals. Hansi Flick’s team beat Benfica twice to win the duel with an aggregate of 4-1.
Barcelona will next face Borussia Dortmund in the competition to qualify for the Champions League semifinals. Lamine Yamal is confident, Barca is the top favorite to win this season.
“I’ve said before that Liverpool are the favorites because they finished first in the group stage. However, after them we are next,” said the young Spanish football star to SPORT.
Lamine Yamal’s optimism is not without reason. Barcelona have repeatedly shown their champion mentality, one of which was when they beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 in the Spanish League last weekend. In that match, Blaugrana were two goals behind, before turning the situation around in the last 20 minutes.
“I already felt this last season when PSG knocked us out of the Champions League. I felt the sensation of being part of a champion team,” continued the 17-year-old footballer.
“Last season, a match like against Atletico Madrid on Sunday, we wouldn’t win. Same with Benfica. Now we have the feeling of being a team that wants more and more,” said Lamine Yamal.
“I’m not afraid of any team. We’re the team that’s hurt Madrid the most, and vice versa.”
“If you think you’re not the favorite, you’ve already started losing. Don’t think teams can beat you. Think like the best team, play your best, and have the best chance to win,” he said.
