Inside Barcelona: Why was Lamine Yamal angry after victory over Atletico Madrid?
Welcome to the most recent version of Inside Barcelona, our weekly collection to observe all through La Liga’s 2025-26 season.
We will carry you key info and evaluation on the largest speaking factors in and across the Camp Nou, chopping by the noisy world of all issues Barca with reporting you possibly can belief.
The info contained on this article displays a number of conversations with numerous sources on the Spanish champions, all of whom wished to talk anonymously to guard relationships.
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Saturday’s 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid was important on a number of ranges.
After Real Madrid misplaced by the identical scoreline at Mallorca earlier within the day, victory means Hansi Flick’s defending champions are seven factors clear on the high of La Liga with eight video games left — together with a Clasico on May 10.
Robert Lewandowski bought the 87th-minute objective that sealed the three factors — though he did not know all that a lot about it — and Lamine Yamal’s response was telling. He didn’t have fun the winner, and after the ultimate whistle, he went straight down the tunnel, visibly angry.
The 18-year-old left the pitch accompanied by goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente, with the 2 in a heated dialogue.
In his post-match press convention, Flick performed down the incident. “I’ve tried everything to score the second and that’s fine,” the Barca head coach mentioned of Yamal. “He tried everything. That’s why he was angry.”
DAZN IMAGE
Lamine Yamal and his response after the match in opposition to Atlético de Madrid#LALIGAenDAZN pic.twitter.com/oetwEYVll8
— DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) April 4, 2026
On Monday, a report in Spanish sports activities day by day Mundo Deportivo urged that Yamal was aggravated by De la Fuente’s directions to him on the pitch, claiming he had been overwhelmed by communication from the sidelines. De La Fuente, who is not any relation to Spain supervisor Luis de la Fuente, additionally has a duty for organizing the crew into set items.
Atletico are Barca’s subsequent opponents, too. They meet in a Champions League quarter-final first leg on the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Despite Saturday’s success, there’s a eager consciousness that the outcome means little for that European assembly. Diego Simeone’s facet had been lowered to 10 gamers after Nico Gonzalez’s sending off simply earlier than half-time on the Metropolitano, whereas in addition they rested Julian Alvarez and Ademola Lookman.
What else did we be taught from Saturday’s match?
That Barcelona are nonetheless missing a medical edge in entrance of objective to complete video games off. They had eight photographs heading in the right direction in opposition to Atletico, with Ferran Torres responsible of lacking two good possibilities and Yamal unfortunate to hit the skin of the put up with a second of magic within the field.
It is a key issue that should be improved within the Champions League. Lifting the trophy is the nice hope of the Barcelona dressing room, much more so now that they seem to have the league underneath management.
That mentioned, there have been additionally loads of positives. One was Dani Olmo’s efficiency. After Lewandowski performed 90 minutes in each of Poland’s World Cup play-off video games, Flick determined to depart the striker on the bench, together with Torres, Barca’s different foremost centre-forward. Olmo began as an alternative, taking part in as a false 9, a place that fits him.
Joao Cancelo additionally put in a great show. The 31-year-old’s fast adaptation since his January mortgage transfer has pleasantly shocked Flick, and he’s placing in some glorious shows.
His mix of expertise, creativity and unpredictability has actually helped the crew in opposition to opponents who sit deep in protection, as was the case at Atletico. He has established himself because the standout success of the winter switch window, and Alejandro Balde, who on Saturday was an unused substitute as he made his return from a hamstring damage, has stiff competitors at left-back.
What occurred to Ronald Araujo and Marc Bernal?
Araujo got here off within the forty first minute after feeling discomfort in his left hamstring. He requested to be substituted and was changed by Marc Bernal.
However, the unique plan was to relaxation Bernal. In the 63rd minute, Bernal threw himself to the bottom, asking to be substituted on account of an issue along with his ankle.
Tests carried out on Sunday in Barcelona decided that Araujo has not suffered an damage and might be accessible for Wednesday’s Champions League match, whereas Bernal has a sprain in his left ankle. The 18-year-old La Masia graduate will miss the Atletico sport, however is perhaps again in time for Saturday’s native derby at residence to Espanyol in La Liga.
