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Rubén Uría's theory on Pablo Barrios' injuries: 'He demands it all of himself'
Nutmegs, covering runs and 60-metre sprints: an overload that, in his view, the team should be sharing out.
Rubén Uría sets out his theory on Pablo Barrios' injuries
Rubén Uría admits what worries him most about Pablo Barrios: he demands that he does everything. He argues that this overexertion, caused by a lack of structure, partly explains his injuries, and holds up Koke as a master at pacing himself.
Rubén Uría explains what makes him most nervous about Pablo Barrios and his injuries, and makes clear that the midfielder is not to blame — the team's playing structure is.
Barrios is so good that he does everything and demands it of himself: a nutmeg, a covering run, a one-two, a 60-metre sprint, help on the left and more help on the right. It is lovely to watch, but bad for him and for Atlético de Madrid, because if he has to do too many things, it means other teammates are not doing them.
Uría calls for patterns of play within which Barrios can operate, and cites Koke as an example, describing him as a master who has learned that lesson.