Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios doesn’t mind if his team aren’t considered favourites against Inter Milan.

Speaking to Spanish news agency Agencia EFE, via FCInterNews, the 20-year-old gave his thoughts ahead of the Champions League round of sixteen tie against the Nerazzurri.

On paper, the tie between Inter and Atletico is perhaps the most evenly-balanced of the Champions League round of sixteen.

The Nerazzurri go into the tie as the team who finished second in their group. They were runners-up to Atletico’s La Liga rivals Real Sociedad.

But in reality, Inter were certainly one of the main runners-up that the group winners would have wanted to avoid.

One look at Inter’s form in Serie A reveals why.

The Nerazzurri have been in blazing form domestically. They have won eight matches from eight since the start of 2024.

Inter are top of the Serie A table, with a nine-point advantage and a game in hand. Their goal difference in the league stands at an eye-watering +47.

Of course, Atletico have proven to be a formidable team themselves this season.

The Colchoneros are currently fourth in the La Liga table, but with 51 points could push even higher.

Meanwhile, Atletico topped their Champions League group. They finished ahead of Serie A side Lazio.

Atletico Madrid Midfielder Pablo Barrios: Don’t Mind If Inter Are Considered Favourites

From the perspective of young Atletico midfielder Barrios, it is no problem if Inter come into the tie with the tag of favourites.

The Spaniard said that “Inter are a great team. We all know that.”

He continued that “Last season they had a great run in the Champions League.”

“We’ll have to play very, very well if we want to go to the next round,” Barrios made clear.

And Barrios also spoke about Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, who has been in outstanding form this season.

“He’s a great striker,” the Atletico midfielder said.

“Let’s hope that our defenders play a great match, and they aren’t able to score.”

As far as whether he thinks Inter are favourites, Barrios said “Let people keep thinking that.”

“We’ll just keep doing our own thing,” he continued.

“We’ll leave the role of favourites to them, if they want it.”

Of the Champions League, Barrios said that “It’s the competition we all dream of winning as children. We want the trophy.”