Pablo Barrios: 'I'm so tired of everyone always talking about Julián Álvarez'

Pablo Barrios is interviewed during Spain's training camp in Las Rozas and discusses his situation at Atlético de Madrid, his call-up to the national team and the press's treatment of Julián Álvarez

Atlético de Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios spoke to Radio Nacional de España in an interview from Las Rozas, where he is in camp with the Spain senior squad ahead of their Nations League fixtures against the Czech Republic and England.

He first reflected on the recent clash with FC Barcelona: "The first half was very good, we had several chances, even in the second half too, but we didn't expect to concede before the break, and after the second goal it gets harder."

On his form, he said: "I feel very good this season, playing games and racking up minutes."

Asked about the season so far, he replied: "It's been good. We had improved at picking up points away from home, which we struggled with so much in previous years, and although this season hasn't gone the way we expected, we have to keep going because I'm sure it will all turn out well."

He believes that "people who know football are aware that we played a very good first half, like the one we managed last year [in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final]. In the end you're also playing against Barça, and with the chances they create, they're going to punish you."

On the obsession with results: "Football is like that. In the first half we were top of the table and in the second everything gets questioned, but it's always this way."

On Zubimendi: "That's not my business, playing is my thing. Obviously Martín is a superb player, but that's not my business."

On a personal level, he is in a great moment. "I'm very happy to be able to enjoy myself on the pitch. Last year I had a spell of the season with injuries that killed me. I'm happy to be helping the team."

He missed out on the World Cup, but was delighted by the national team's success: "Very happy for the country, for the achievement, but above all for the people you know, the ones you share your day-to-day with. You know the work that goes into it and you're happy for them. It's a hell of a team, and being able to come here is fucking brilliant, excuse my language. The players here are of a very high level and they've shown it for many years."

On Luis de la Fuente and the standard of Spanish central midfielders: "I've only worked with him here. The level in my position is incredibly high, not just among the best in the country but in the world. There's always a huge level of quality."

He also had words for Koke as captain. "At Atleti he helps me a great deal, not only on the pitch but off it too. That's why coming to the national team is a motivation."

Then came the key moment: Julián Álvarez. Barrios admits the situation wears him down. "Very tired of it. With all the fuss there was in the summer, I understood why people talked about him, but at this stage of the season any excuse is used to talk about him. With Julián, and with everyone, people are just waiting to have a go at him."