Barcelona youngster duo on the Atletico Madrid clash: “It will be a turning point”

Barcelona face off against arch-rivals Atletico Madrid in what could be a defining encounter in the top-four race. The Catalans are currently fifth in the table, just a point and a place below the current La Liga champions.

It will also be the Blaugrana’s first game at Camp Nou in well over a month, with their last fixture at home coming on December 18th against Elche, which the team won 3-2.

Barcelona youngsters Pedri and Nico Gonzalez previewed the crucial clash and opened up about playing in front of a full crowd at Camp Nou.

“We haven’t played at the Camp Nou for a long time, we really want to play there and even more so with all the fans. Playing at the Camp Nou with the fans is very special,“ Nico said.

“Seeing the fans at the Camp Nou is a moment that will be very special and I hope to celebrate it with a victory,” Pedri added.

The Barcelona midfielders also spoke about playing against Atletico Madrid and the tactics that the Rojiblancos might employ against them at Camp Nou.

“I think Atlético will come out to press high, to try to steal the ball from us in our field… they are a team that put a lot of intensity,” Pedri exclaimed.

“The matches against Atlético are always even. They are compact in the back, they defend with great intensity, and they make a lot of counterattacks. It already happened to us in the match at the Wanda, where they made us several counters,” Nico further added.

The duo also highlighted the importance of the game against Atleti, with Nico even insisting that it could be the turning point of the season for Barcelona. “We expect a very calm game, having the ball, attacking a lot and being patient for the opportunities to come. “I think the match against Atlético will be a turning point to gain confidence,” he said.

“Three valuable points are at stake against Atlético. It will be a difficult game, they have a great team,” Pedri added.