Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock called the trio “exceptional” and said they “made Barcelona play all the time”.

Casado, who Warnock said had a natural ‘understanding of how to read danger’, was the deepest of the three midfielders, protecting the defense 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. He has featured in all their Champions League games this season, adding an assist on Wednesday.

“Casado played twice for Xavi last season and Xavi was told that if you put Casado into the team enough he wouldn’t get out,” Balague said.

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

Just in front of Casado was Pedri, already a superstar and a true champion of transition, constantly receiving the ball from 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 eventually signed a contract extension with a release clause of 1 billion euros that same year.