FC Barcelona secured their spot within the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League quarterfinals with a dominant 4-1 combination victory over Benfica. With Liverpool now out of the competitors, star participant Lamine Yamal made a daring assertion concerning Barcelona’s possibilities of successful the distinguished trophy.
The spherical of 16 noticed just a few sudden outcomes, together with Liverpool‘s elimination by the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. The Reds had been knocked out after a dramatic penalty shootout loss at Anfield. Talking with Sport, Yamal shared his ideas on the crew’s present standing and the way Liverpool’s exit has shifted the competitors’s dynamic:
“We’re the favorites for the Champions League. When the group stage ended, I mentioned that Liverpool was the favourite as a result of they had been first, however now that they’re out, it’s us,” the 17-year-old mentioned confidently.
Liverpool had dominated the group stage, successful their first seven matches and conceding the fewest objectives of any crew. With the Premier League title virtually secured, the Champions League was seen as their main problem. Nevertheless, they had been ousted by PSG, who managed to neutralize their assault.
Barcelona will face Borussia Dortmund within the quarterfinals in April. However with Liverpool out of the competitors, Yamal sees a possibility for the Catalan membership to push for his or her first Champions League title since 2015.
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Lamine Yamal on Actual Madrid
As one of many remaining prime contenders within the match, Actual Madrid is seen as a severe risk after eliminating each Manchester Metropolis and Atletico Madrid. Nevertheless, Yamal made it clear that moderately than fearing Actual Madrid, he finds matches in opposition to Los Blancos thrilling.
“I’m not afraid of any crew. The matches in opposition to Actual Madrid are at all times very stunning, we’re the crew that causes them probably the most harm. And vice versa can also be true, as they’re a terrific crew,” Yamal mentioned within the interview with Sport. “We’re a distinct crew in comparison with final 12 months, after we had been knocked out by PSG. We’re a household,” he added.
Barcelona have had current success in opposition to Actual Madrid, having shocked them twice this season: first with a commanding 4-0 victory on the Santiago Bernabeu after which with a 5-2 win within the Spanish Tremendous Cup, additional boosting Yamal’s confidence forward of any potential assembly with Madrid within the Champions League.