Deco reveals Barcelona reaction to scathing Ilkay Gundogan criticism

Barcelona sporting director Deco has insisted “everything is settled” and “calm” after Ilkay Gundogan’s criticism of how his teammates reacted to losing to bitter rivals Real Madrid.

In what was his first experience of El Clasico, Gundogan watched Barcelona give up a lead he’d given them in the seventh minute and fall to a 2-1 loss after a late strike from two-goal sensation Jude Bellingham.

The German midfielder, who joined Barca on a free transfer after deciding to leave treble-winners Manchester City, openly called out his teammates after the game, questioning their response to the defeat while insisting he did not join the club to lose such big matches and fall behind in the La Liga title race so early.

Reports in Spain suggested Gundogan’s comments had shocked Barcelona and AS later reported that the 33-year-old declined to take part in a team photo during the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Asked whether there was a rift in the squad after Gundogan’s actions, Deco insisted: “Everything is settled, they are internal things and everything is calm.”

Barcelona‘s technical co-ordinator, former striker Bojan Krkic, also echoed Deco’s confidence about the situation, saying: “I’m convinced it will be discussed inside the locker room, no problem.

Gundogan was unimpressed after El Clasico / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

“Ilkay is competitive and a winner. He scored the first goal. The anger that a loss causes makes you have certain reactions.”

Gundogan has made 14 appearances for the club this season, chipping in with one goal and four assists to help Barcelona to fourth in the La Liga standings.

The Clasico defeat was Barcelona’s first of the season but draws have proven to be a problem for Xavi’s side in recent weeks. Games against Mallorca and Getafe – two sides in the current bottom five – both ended 2-2, leaving Barca four points adrift of Real Madrid and also trailing Girona and Atletico Madrid.