Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona key battle: Pablo Barrios vs Pedri analysed

Atletico Madrid host Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday, with the La Liga leaders facing a difficult test against Diego Simeone's in-form side.

With Hansi Flick’s side sitting top of the table on 30 points and Atletico two points behind in second, the midfield contest could have a major influence on which team controls the game. 

Pablo Barrios has become an important figure in Simeone's side, while Pedri remains central to Barcelona's approach, providing the composure and passing quality needed to dictate possession.

Both midfielders have contributed in different ways during the 202627 campaign so far and this will be one of the key battles that potentially decides the game.

Here, Football Whispers compares Barrios and Pedri statistically, using their La Liga numbers from the 2026-27 season so far.

Pablo Barrios and Pedri: How do they compare?

Pedri has played more football than Barrios this season, accumulating 756 minutes across his league appearances compared with the Atletico midfielder's 527, and that difference is reflected in their passing numbers. 

The Barcelona playmaker has completed 712 passes at an accuracy of 91.57%, comfortably ahead of Barrios, who has attempted 411 passes with an 88.08% success rate.

Those figures underline Pedri's importance to Barcelona's possession game, as the 23-year-old regularly provides an outlet for his defenders and helps his side progress through midfield. 

Barrios has also shown that he can retain possession effectively, but his contribution has been more varied, with the Atletico midfielder combining his passing responsibilities with a greater emphasis on carrying the ball and competing in physical contests.

Barrios has the advantage when it comes to duels, winning 32 of the 55 he has contested, compared with Pedri's 30 victories from 65 attempts, giving the Atletico midfielder a success rate of approximately 58.2%, against Pedri's 46.2%, highlighting his effectiveness when challenging opponents for possession.

The 22-year-old has also completed more successful dribbles, registering 11 compared with Pedri's seven, despite playing 229 fewer minutes. 

However, Barrios has been dispossessed nine times, marginally more than the Barcelona midfielder's eight, suggesting that his willingness to take opponents on can sometimes carry an element of risk.

There is little to separate them in terms of attacking output, although Pedri currently has the edge, with the Barcelona midfielder scoring once and providing two assists, while Barrios is yet to find the net but has registered one assist. 

Both players have created one big chance, while Pedri has taken seven shots compared with Barrios's six.

Their defensive and disciplinary numbers are also relatively close, with both having committed three fouls, although Pedri has drawn nine compared with Barrios's seven. 

The Barcelona midfielder has received one yellow card, while Barrios has yet to be booked in the league this season.

Ultimately, Pedri's superior passing volume and accuracy make him the more influential player in possession, while Barrios has offered greater value in duels and carries, winning a higher proportion of his individual contests and completing more dribbles.

That contrast should make their meeting particularly intriguing, especially with Barcelona likely to look to Pedri to establish control in midfield and Atletico relying on Barrios to disrupt the visitors' rhythm. 

If the home side can make the contest more physical and prevent Pedri from dictating play, Barrios could have an important role in helping Simeone's team gain the upper hand.