Atletico Madrid youngster hails Barcelona midfield duo ahead of clash: “Really great players”

Speaking in an interview with EFE, Atletico Madrid starlet Pablo Barrios has hailed Barcelona midfield duo Pedri and Gavi ahead of the La Liga meeting between the two clubs.

Barcelona will welcome Atletico Madrid to Spotify Camp Nou this Sunday, with an aim to get back to winning ways after failing to pick up a victory in each of their last three games in all competitions.

The Blaugrana will be boosted by the return of key midfielder Pedri, who is close to receiving his medical clearance, along with Frenkie de Jong.

At just 20 years old, Pedri is a mainstay for Barcelona as well as the Spanish national team. The same holds true for Gavi as well, who is a regular member of the starting XI for club and country despite being just 18 years of age.

So, it is natural that youngsters coming through in Spain look up to the Barcelona midfield duo, who were recipients of the Golden Boy award in the last two years.

And Barrios, who is enjoying a breakthrough campaign at Atletico Madrid this season, spoke highly of Pedri and Gavi, saying:

“Gavi and Pedri, we already know what players they are, both at Barcelona and in the national team. They are two guys with a lot of quality. The truth is, they are really great players.”

Barrios also spoke about the upcoming encounter between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, stating that the Blaugrana are a great team and the Rojiblancos will need to be at their absolute best to stand a chance on Sunday.

“Barcelona are a great team. They have players with a lot of quality who can make a difference. That’s why we have to be at our best to win the match,” he added.

Atletico Madrid, who will likely be without Memphis Depay for tomorrow’s game, have been the most in-form team in the second half of the La Liga season, having not lost any of their last 13 games since a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona.

They are currently third in the table, 13 points below Xavi’s league leaders, but Barrios refused to rule out a late tilt at the title, as he said:

“As long as there is a chance, we are thinking about ourselves, in the games we have left let’s continue to make it back-to-back wins if possible and then we’ll see what happens.”