The word ‘remontada’ has almost become synonymous with FC Barcelona, ever since the Catalan club pulled off an incredible heist against PSG in the Champions League around a decade ago. Ten years later, Hansi Flick’s team finds themselves needing another miracle.
While the number of goals needed to overturn the deficit against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals might not be the same, doing it away at the Metropolitano against Diego Simeone’s side is perhaps even more difficult.
A catastrophic night in the first leg at the Spotify Camp Nou has left Barcelona needing to pull off yet another miracle if they are to progress to the next round of the Champions League. A lot of things need to go in their favour to make it happen.
With all this in mind, here are three talking points as Barcelona [look to pull off a remontada](https://x.com/FCBarcelona/status/2043962466548539613?s=20) against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.
**1: What does Lamine Yamal have in store?**
Lamine Yamal seems to be playing football on a different level in recent weeks. He was very unlucky in the first leg against Atletico Madrid and looked unplayable one-on-one. [He followed that up with a sumptuous performance against Espanyol](https://semprebarca.com/yamal-9-5-torres-9-0-fc-barcelona-4-1-rcd-espanyol-player-ratings/).
When the lights shine brightest, the Spanish teenager always seems to have a new level to unlock. Tonight is arguably Barcelona’s biggest game of the season, and Lamine may need to produce something very special.
One thing the 18-year-old will want to do is score goals and provide assists. The end product is what will matter on the night, and it will be quite special if he manages to contribute in that regard.
If Lamine has a good night, Barcelona could be in for absolute cinema. It remains to be seen how things play out against Atletico Madrid.
**2: Finish your chances**
Barcelona did not lose the first leg against Atletico Madrid because of the red card they received. In fact, throughout the second half, they looked like the more threatening side despite being a man down.
The reason the Catalan club could not score on the night was their poor finishing in front of goal. Marcus Rashford was the chief culprit in that regard, but Barcelona created more than enough chances to score at least two goals, if not more.
Irrespective of what the final scoreline is in the Atletico game tonight, one thing Flick’s men simply cannot afford is to miss their chances. Rashford, Ferran, Lewandowski, Lamine, and even the likes of Fermin Lopez and Olmo need to have their shooting boots on.
It remains to be seen who Flick starts in attack tonight and whether they show better finishing than they did at the Camp Nou a few days ago.
**3: Time to persist with the box set-up**
Flick set his team up with an Xavi-esque box midfield against Espanyol, with Gavi and Fermin leading the shape and Eric and Pedri sitting deeper. Although the personnel may change, the German manager should replicate that against Atletico.
Eric may have to move to defence, unless Flick decides to start Araujo at right-back and Jules Kounde at centre-back, and some combination of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Fermin, and Olmo is likely to form the box if the manager goes that way.
Flick also has an important decision to make over who his striker will be. Ferran Torres would be a great bet, and making use of his wave of confidence could prove to be a shrewd decision in a game like this. Lewandowski can be an excellent option off the bench.
It remains to be seen how things play out and what XI Flick puts out on the pitch against Atletico at the Metropolitano.