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Barcelona (AFP)
Clement Lenglet should be spared from the failure of the Barcelona Champions League last season, but the disappointment is reflected on the club to the extent that he feels it too.
"You can just smell around where there is this scar," said Lenglet at AFP. "It's still hurting."
Lenglet describes him as he was there but he was playing for Seville last year, his move to Barcelona not yet taking place in three months.
He joined a club that won the Liga at a canter and Copa del Rey – but they mourned the season that just ended as a missed opportunity.
The 4-1 collapse against Roma forced Barca to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Champions League and to suspend his other exploits as a dark cloud.
Lenglet can be part of the recovery. Barcelona will face Lyon in the first leg of the last 16 games on Tuesday and after three years without qualifying for the semi-finals, we feel like a team on a mission.
"We want to soothe the scar, do something beautiful to be able to forget everything that has happened," said Lenglet. "The players were exhausted and everyone around the club was too, we have to show that it was a mistake, that we can do better."
Lyon is compared to European minnows, but their fast pace and fearless approach place them in an opponent category that has caused problems in Barcelona this season.
Manchester City, a team in a style similar to that of Ernesto Valverde, played two group matches against him with a draw and a loss.
"We often let the players face each other in defense, so if the ball pbades through us, we are at a disadvantage," said Lenglet.
"There are a lot of times when we take risks, but balance is important, that's what players learn on their arrival in Barcelona, and it's important to understand it quickly. this match. "
– Steep climb –
The rise of Lenglet was steep. At the start of the 2016-17 season, he played for Nancy, the club where he started in the youth teams. Seville signed it in January and after a full campaign in La Liga, Barca had enough to meet its buyback clause of 35.9 million euros ($ 40.6 million).
Most expected the promising French defender to move to Camp Nou, but Samuel Umtiti's knee injury pushed Lenglet into Gerard Pique's most consistent partner.
He impressed, his conscience and his confidence on the ball judging it well adapted to a team which defends itself by lightning and which builds of the back.
"All players dream of playing so often with this type of club," said Lenglet. "It gives me a lot of pride, joy and work because you have to be at your best, permanently."
At age 23, Lenglet is part of an emerging culture in Barcelona that should become the next generation leader.
Ousmane Dembele and Arthur Melo have also played a lot this season, while Carles Alena, Juan Miranda, Riqui Puig and Oriol Busquets raise great hopes.
"I hope to be part of the new wave," said Lenglet. "It's hard to imagine now because there is a lot of work to do before players such as Gerard (Spades), Leo (Messi), Sergio (Busquets) or Jordi (Alba) have finished.
"I hope they will not finish too soon, but it's still exciting to see some new players coming in, young players, there is a regeneration of the team that is getting ready for the day." Future and I hope to be part of that. "
Lenglet has not yet received his first call in France, which could still happen next month, but he is close to Dembele, whose brilliance at Barca has been tempered by indiscipline.
One of the most spectacular talents of the game, Dembele has been punished this season for his lack of time and lack of sleep for video games.
"He has tremendous potential and he's a good guy.When you have these two things, you'll see them normally on the field," said Lenglet. "We've made fun of him for his problems, it's a way of dealing with him because in a club like this, you have to learn to respect the rules."
Lenglet is a fresh face but speaks with maturity. He also knows what the Champions League represents for Barcelona this season – how Lyon can not become Roma in 2018-19.
"We do not take them lightly," said Lenglet. "They are raising their level against the big clubs, we know that it will take two very good performances to succeed."
© 2019 AFP
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