Lamine Yamal says he wants it to be the 'Barça era'
On Wednesday Barça face Inter Milan at the Estadi Olímpic in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. On Tuesday blaugrana winger Lamine Yamal appeared before the gathered media at the Ciutat Esportiva.
The teenager appeared more than ready for the test against the Italian league champions, going into the first game "really excited because for a lot of us it will be our first Champions League semi-final." Lamine continued: "We really want to get to the final and we will give everything."
Asked about Inter's strengths, Lamine replied: "Everyone knows that Inter are a really strong side and are really strong at the back. They are good in attack too as when they get the ball back they counter quickly."
"However, we are good with the ball and we will do everything we can to do play how we normally play and get a great result. It's a Champions League semi-final and we are playing for a place in the final - both sides will give their all."
"I am not afraid"
Lamine Yamal's youth is still a surprise. Asked about how a 17 year old copes with the pressure, he said: "The atmosphere at the Copa del Rey final was fantastic. We went out to enjoy ourselves. I would love to experience it again. I am really motivated and I have butterflies in my stomach before the games, but I don't feel pressure. I just like to play and give everything. I left fear behind in Mataró."
For Lamine one of the keys to his success is down to his youth and the sense of belonging of all the players who have come through La Masia. "We give everything as we feel the shirt because we have grown up here and we know what it means. I think that has a lot to do with it. I don't hope that it is Lamine Yamal's era, but Barça's era," concluded the teenager.