MADRID (AP) — Barcelona faced criticism from one of its own players after losing to Real Madrid in the Spanish league’s first „clásico” of the season, with veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan saying he wants to see more „frustration.” Anger from his teammates.
Meanwhile, Madrid’s celebrations were marred on Sunday when the club announced that midfielder Aurelian Soumey suffered a fractured left leg. A 2-1 win over the Catalan rivals on Saturday.
Gundogan, who put Barcelona ahead with a goal in the sixth minute, said he expected to see more emotion from his teammates in the locker room after the home defeat.
„I don’t want to say anything wrong,” he said. „But I was in the dressing room and, of course, people were disappointed, but especially after such a big game and such a result, I wanted more frustration, more anger, you know, more disappointment.”
The 33-year-old former Manchester City midfielder, who signed for Barcelona in the summer, said the lack of emotion was „a bit of a problem”.
„There has to be more emotion, especially when you lose, if you know you can do better, you can do better in certain situations and you don’t react,” he said. „We have to take a good step in that, otherwise Real Madrid or even Girona are going to run away.”
The defeat leaves Barcelona four points behind both Madrid and Girona at the top of the table after 11 rounds. Girona beat Celta Vigo 1-0 on Friday for their ninth win of the season. Atletico Madrid can leapfrog Barcelona into third if they win at home against Alaves on Sunday.
Barcelona came into the „Clásico” undefeated in all competitions. Won their first three matches in the group stage of the Champions League.
Gundogan, one of the oldest players on the team, attributed that to the lack of emotion in the locker room.
„I’m not here to lose these kinds of games,” he said. „I have some responsibility from a more experienced player, not to let things happen to the team. No, we need resistance.”
England international Jude Bellingham, 20, has scored 13 goals in 13 games this season since joining Madrid from Borussia Dortmund, scoring in the 68th minute and in second-half stoppage time to spark a comeback.
TCHOUAMENI Wounded
Madrid played the entire match despite Tchouaméni’s leg injury. Madrid said tests showed the Frenchman had an „incomplete stress fracture of the second metatarsal of the left foot”. The club said his progress would be „monitored” but this type of injury could keep him out for at least a month. He is not expected to undergo surgery.
Tchouaméni has played a key role for Madrid this season, becoming a regular starter for coach Carlo Ancelotti. He appeared in all 14 games for the club, scoring once in a league game against Girona.
Madrid’s next match in the Spanish league is against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Barcelona travel to Real Sociedad on Saturday.
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AP Football: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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