The rising talent from Atlético de Madrid, Pablo Barrios, has broken into the first team after a standout spell with Fernando Torres’ Juvenil A. A midfielder who impressed last season, Barrios earned the trust of Diego Pablo Simeone and made his competitive debut in Cadiz. Since that night, his influence has grown steadily, and in Oviedo he helped steer a strong collective performance from his side.
Atlético faced a challenging moment. The clock showed 83 minutes, the scoreboard read 0-1 in their favor, yet Oviedo pressed and created few real chances. Simeone’s squad, however, began to link passes through the middle, lifting their tempo and edging forward in the closing stages. A sequence that started in the center circle culminated with a deft connection between Griezmann and regular starters, releasing Barrios with a precise low cross. Barrios faced the goalkeeper and produced a low strike that slid through the goalkeeper’s legs, sealing a 0-2 lead and securing progression to the round of 16. The performance reinforced Atlético’s early season goal of advancing in the cup and maintaining momentum in the league.
The performance drew attention on social media, where AtleticoStats highlighted the long spell of passing that led to the second goal as one of the team’s most efficient collective actions this year. Earlier examples, such as Carrasco against Leverkusen after eleven passes or Carrasco against Celta following a nine-pass sequence, were cited as benchmarks. In Oviedo, Barrios’s involvement stood out as the most dynamic team move of the night for Simeone’s men, a moment of joy for the rojiblanca faithful who witnessed a game plan clicking in unison.
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Longer passing sequences culminating in goals in recent seasons have become a talking point.
BARRIOS vs Oviedo – 17 passes
2 Carrasco vs Leverkusen
113 Carrasco vs Celta
94 Joao Felix vs Elche
85 Barrios vs Arenteiro
@Pablo_Barrios7 has sparked excitement with his time in the academy-to-first-team transition, a journey many compare to the early emergence of Fernand Torres in more distant years. The post charts a rising trajectory as Barrios delivers performances that suggest a future as a regular contributor to Atlético’s midfield rotation, capable of driving attacks and offering reliable ball distribution. The night against Oviedo underscored his ability to impact a game’s tempo and create scoring chances, even in high-stakes moments.
Neighborhoods, at the age of 19, has settled quickly into Atlético’s senior squad, bringing a set of qualities that the team has sometimes lacked. He seeks the ball, shows bravery, and displays the instincts of a midfield orchestrator who reads the game well. His willingness to take risks and attempt to bypass lines when possible without compromising safety marks him as a promising asset for the squad’s future plans.
Against Arenteiro in the cup, Barrios demonstrated his long-range shooting ability, a facet that further confirms his versatile profile. Last night’s display confirmed that he knows how to arrive in dangerous positions and contribute to decisive moments. While Simeone will likely progress cautiously with his development, Barrios appears to be a player who earned a spot in the first team and might build a lasting career with the rojiblanca, reminiscent of memorable academy graduates who have made an impact at the club.
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