Report – The trap Atletico Madrid are planning to set for Barcelona superstar | OneFootball

Later tonight, FC Barcelona will host Atletico Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.

Barça will be aiming to kill off the tie in the first leg, considering that they will play the reverse fixture away at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Meanwhile, having already lost thrice to the Blaugrana this season across La Liga and Copa del Rey, the Rojiblancos are extra-motivated to get one over Hansi Flick & co. tonight.

Atletico plan to target Lamine Yamal

As such, according to SPORT, Atletico Madrid are preparing a tactical and psychological plan aimed at Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal ahead of tonight’s quarter-final clash at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Diego Simeone & co. already have their main objective defined: to force a suspension for the 18-year-old winger for the second leg.

Yamal has accumulated four yellow cards in the Champions League this season and is one away from earning an automatic one-match suspension, which would see him miss the return leg on 14 April at the Metropolitano.

Simeone has a plan for Lamine Yamal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

With Raphinha injured and ruled out due to a hamstring problem, Barcelona have already lost one of their two main sources of attacking threat. For that reason, according to Atletico’s analysis, neutralising Lamine becomes a strategic priority.

Without both starting wingers, Barcelona’s attack loses much of its ability to create superiority on the flanks and unsettle a Metropolitano that is usually a fortress in European knockout ties.

As such, Atletico’s coaching staff is preparing an intensive and staggered marking system for Lamine.

Early tactical fouls are expected to stop his runs and prevent him from reaching the byline, along with frequent double marking to force him to receive the ball with his back to goal or in uncomfortable positions.

There could even be controlled provocations from players experienced in these types of duels, seeking to draw the young Barcelona player into the game emotionally and make him lose concentration.

Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Flick has insisted that Lamine must remain calm and not react to provocations, along with the other players at risk of suspension. However, the German coach is aware that Atletico will try to bring out a more heated version of Lamine.