Gundogan talks Pedri, De Jong, UCL, future, El Clasico comments ahead of Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has clarified the comments he made after the defeat against Real Madrid, saying that when he criticised the team, he included himself in the comment.

The German veteran sparked controversy following the 1-2 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in El Clasico. A frustrated Gundogan, while speaking to the press, said that he did not come to Barcelona to lose this type of match.

These comments were perceived in every way possible and almost every Barcelona player was asked to comment on the same. Now, while speaking to beIN Sports, he clarified his position, saying (h/t SPORT):

“I can’t influence how people take it. I said my honest opinion, without attacking anyone or anything. Whenever I criticize the team I include myself, I start with myself.”

“I have enough experience to know how this business works. First, I look in the mirror and judge myself, and not others,” he added.

Gundogan also said that his comments were nothing but constructive criticism and his goal was to make sure “we do better because I see a lot of potential and quality. And I want to do better every time.

“Even if we win 3-4 or 5-0 I will always see things to improve. Maybe it’s my way of being, my mentality, but I never do it with bad intentions.”

Ilkay Gundogan is very happy at Barcelona. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Gundogan’s take on Champions League

Barcelona’s recent 2-1 win over FC Porto gave them the passage to qualify for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 and Gundogan acknowledged that this is a big step for the team.

“This gives us some confidence and shows that we are on the right path. We are doing things well, although there are things for better, in the way we attack and defend.

“After the last two years, it was a small relief, although it was deserved. It can give us a boost of confidence,” said Gundogan while adding that these wins will send “positive vibes for the two big games that are coming to us.”

His future and playing with de Jong and Pedri?

Gundogan’s future has been thrown into question of late and reports have linked him with a move to Turkey. While addressing these rumours, he said: “I have found a home, with the family we feel happy and, on a sporting level, I am playing all the games.

“I need to get used to it. There is a lot of noise around. Everything is analyzed a lot. I need time to adapt, to a new country, a new culture, a new city, new people, and a new way of playing football, but I’m very happy.”

Gundogan is set to form a lasting partnership with the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri now that Gavi is ruled out for the rest of the season. While speaking about his teammates, he said,

“I felt very comfortable playing alongside them. They arrived after injuries and now they are fine. We are going to improve with the games.

“We also play against very good rivals. You can’t dominate the entire game, there are moments when you have to fight. We can play better and be better, although I feel very comfortable next to teammates incredible.”

Gundogan is expecting a tough game against Atletico Madrid (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

What is he expecting from Atletico game?

Barcelona face Atletico Madrid at home on Sunday and Gudogan acknowledged that Diego Simeone’s men are blessed “with an aggressive defence, physically stable, very demanding and with a mobile forward.

“They have players with a lot of technique and forwards capable of scoring many goals. It was seen in the derby when they beat Real Madrid. It was impressive.”

“They are a quality team and will compete to win the title, it is a direct rival for us.”

According to him, the formula to beat Atletico is to “be patient, we love possession. If we don’t rush, we will find the spaces to move the opponent and enter when a gap opens.

“Several actions must be carried out to make the gap arrive and this doesn’t happen directly by attacking quickly. We must have a lot of patience because of Atlético’s way of defending.”

“If we play better, we have a better chance of winning. It happened to us with City, that we lost some games before Christmas and then we came back. There is a lot left and the race is long,” he said.