Atlético's Yorente says Barca will seek revenge soon; Alvarez on Barça fame and Atletico future
26 March 2026
Ahead of the Champions League Quarterfinals
Atlético star Yorente says Barca will seek revenge soon.
Marcos Yorente, Atletico Madrid's star, believes Barcelona will seek revenge on his side when they meet in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Atletico Madrid had knocked Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey semifinal, winning 4-0 away and losing 3-0 at home.
The sides are braced for three clashes in ten days, starting with a La Liga clash on April 4, followed by the two Champions League matches.
He told a Catalan newspaper Sport: "The Champions League clash will be hard. There is also the league game. Three matches against a strong opponent, and the fixture promises to be exciting. It's a Champions League quarterfinal, and we know each other well from the Copa del Rey."
"Barcelona players will certainly seek revenge, but they were a very strong opponent in the Copa del Rey, which was decided by a single goal. Both teams will make things difficult."
Asked whether Lamine Yamal is the key Barcelona player and should be stopped, he replied: "Yes, he's brilliant and performs well. On the other hand, Rafinha and Pedri, Barcelona have a great team, and you can't focus only on Lamine. They have many players who can make a difference, and we must be aware of all of them."
On the transfer rumors surrounding his teammate Julián Álvarez moving to Barcelona this summer, he said: "It's like a scene from a movie. I'm not Julián, and these are just rumors from outside the club. I don't think they affect the team at all."
He added: "We see Álvarez happy and excited, and when he scores, he shows his desire to give his best. This feeling comes more from outside the dressing room than what I see inside it."
Regarding his Atletico Madrid contract which ends in 2027, he explained: "I'm clear about my desire to stay at Atletico Madrid for many more years."
He continued: "I'm happy where my performances are valued, and I hope we reach an agreement that satisfies all parties and allows me to renew. I have never been one to brag, but honestly, I hope to end my career at Atletico Madrid."
Punchlines: If this rivalry were a soap opera, the next episode would come with a red card and a cliffhanger.
Punchline 2: When in doubt, trust the rumor mill—it loves a good transfer plot twist.
