Barcelona fans brand club a ‘disgrace’ for leaving 17-year-old Pedri to speak to

Barcelona endured a night to forget as they slipped nine points off the pace after defeat by Atletico Madrid and fans have condemned the club for letting Pedri to be responsible for post-match media duties.

The 1-0 loss to Atletico on Saturday left Ronald Koeman’s side 10th in LaLiga after eight games.

And furious Barcelona supporters have labelled the club a ‘disgrace’ as they tore into Lionel Messi and Co for leaving 17-year-old Pedri to speak to the press after another disappointing result.

Barcelona 17-year-old midfielder Pedri was left to carry out post-match media duties after loss

Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi looks dejected during the league encounter at Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid heaped more misery on Ronald Koeman’s side with 1-0 win on Saturday night

‘We knew it was a difficult match here,’ the midfielder said.

‘We didn’t do well up front and they scored at the end of the first half, that was tough for us mentally.’

One fan wrote on Twitter: ‘Atleti beats Barcelona and the only one that shows up to face the media is the teenager Pedri. What a disgrace the club has turned into.’

Furious Barcelona fans branded the club a ‘disgrace’ as they tore into Messi and Co

While another added: ’17-year-old Pedri was sent out to do post match interview, tells you a lot about Messi as a captain.’

Pedri having the responsibility comes after Sergino Dest, 20, carried out the duty following Barcelona’s 3-1 El Clasico defeat by Real Madrid last month.

One Twitter user said: ‘After their El Clasico defeat, the designated Barcelona player to speak to Spanish TV was a teenager who couldn’t speak Spanish. No player appears to be volunteering to talking after losing to Atletico Madrid. A vacuum of leadership.

‘Incredible – after players left the pitch without media duties (contractually, clubs must offer up one player immediately to speak to TV) they sent out 17-year-old Pedri, their youngest player.’ 

Barcelona have already lost three league games this season – the same number reigning LaLiga champions Real lost last campaign. 

Koeman’s side have already lost three league games this season and are down in 10th place