Barcelona: Champions League win built off youngsters Pedri, Fermin Lopez and Marc Casado

Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock called the trio “exceptional” and said they “constantly allowed Barcelona to play”.

Casado, who Warnock said had a natural “understanding of how to read danger” was the deepest of the three midfielders, shielding the defence and winning the ball back for his side.

The former Barcelona B captain only made his first Barcelona start this season, but has become a regular for Haasi Flick’s side, getting the nod in all of their Champions League matches this term, and came up with an assist on Wednesday.

“Casado played twice for Xavi last season and Xavi was told if you put Casado in the team enough, he wouldn’t come out of it,” added Balague.

“Xavi thought he was too short for a holding midfielder, but he’s in now.”

Just ahead of Casado was Pedri, already a superstar and a true champion of the transition, constantly receiving the ball off his defenders and playing it forward.

Pedri joined Barca from Las Palmas in 2020 at the age of 16, won the Golden Boy award in 2021 and, that same year, ended up signing a contract extension which included a 1bn euro (£846m) release clause.