Barcelona face Atletico Madrid needing a historic Champions League comeback, yet Lamine Yamal stresses the quarter-final second leg does not rest on one player. Barcelona trail 2-0 from the first match at Camp Nou, after goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth followed Pau Cubarsi’s red card.

The result leaves Barcelona in a position that almost never leads to progression. Their loss was the 195th time in European Cup or Champions League history that a team lost the first leg of a knockout tie at home by at least two goals, and only two sides have advanced from that scenario.

Those rare escapes came from Manchester United against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2018-19 season, and from Ajax against Benfica in the 1968-69 campaign. Barcelona now attempt to join that list while relying heavily on Lamine Yamal’s attacking influence in UEFA’s main competition this season.

Yamal leads Barcelona in several key Champions League metrics. The winger has completed 37 successful dribbles and taken 32 shots. Yamal has also created 20 chances, more than any team-mate, and has been directly involved in nine goals, with five goals and four assists, behind only Fermin Lopez’s 10 involvements.

Between the numbers, Yamal highlighted the strength of the squad and the responsibility already carried at a young age. “Luckily, I’m playing for Barcelona and we have a lot of quality,” said Yamal. “I don’t think it all depends on me, and even if it did, I wouldn’t mind. But I have faith in my team. From a young age, I’ve taken on more responsibilities than I should have. I’m used to it. I don’t see it as a problem, but as a strength. I appreciate the trust my colleagues place in me.”

Barcelona’s tactical approach has drawn criticism during the campaign, especially the high defensive line that contributed to Cubarsi’s dismissal in the first leg. Hansi Flick accepts room for improvement without changing the core idea against Atletico Madrid, who capitalised on space behind the defence at Camp Nou.

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Flick defended the team’s behaviour without the ball and repeated that structure must come from collective effort. “I’m not worried; it’s our style of play, said the Barca head coach. We can defend better, but it all depends on the team. Everyone on the team needs to be involved and connected, and defend as a unit. Without the ball, we have to close down space and be more compact; that’s how we want to play football. There are many situations where we’ve done very well. And we’re capable of scoring goals.”

Barcelona now prepare for the second leg knowing the probability is against them, yet recent statistics underline why Lamine Yamal’s influence is central to any hope. The winger’s confidence, Flick’s insistence on the current style, and the squad’s attacking numbers will all shape their response against Atletico Madrid.