Frenkie de Jong has outlined Barcelona's shortcomings after returning to action in their 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the 2026/27 season, admitting that Hansi Flick's side lacked their usual fluency in possession.
The Dutch midfielder also made his ambition clear, insisting he wants to reclaim a place in Barcelona's starting XI as quickly as possible.
Joao Cancelo, meanwhile, argued that Barcelona were the better team despite losing at home, while acknowledging that their inability to control possession consistently proved costly against Real Madrid.
De Jong returned to the pitch against Real Madrid but could not help Barcelona avoid defeat in a disappointing result at Spotify Camp Nou.
The midfielder admitted that losing El Clasico at home made the setback particularly painful, especially after a difficult week for the Catalan club.
"It always hurts to lose, especially at home and especially in El Clásico. It's not what we expected, but we're top of the table and we have to bounce back after this rotten week."
Frenkie de Jong played his first match for Barcelona this season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The Dutchman also explained how Barcelona's mistakes in possession played into Madrid's strengths, allowing their opponents to threaten quickly after winning the ball.
"It's true we weren't as fluid as usual; we lost possession a bit more, and that's their strength: if you lose the ball in the first or second phase of play, they have players who are very decisive and very quick."
De Jong also addressed the competition for places in Barcelona's midfield, where several high-quality options are fighting for regular minutes.
Rather than viewing that competition negatively, the midfielder described it as a natural part of playing for a club with Barcelona's ambitions.
"We've got a lot of top-class players; there are some very good players in midfield in particular.
Joao Cancelo has asked for more after Real Madrid defeat. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
"Competition for places is to be expected in a team like Barcelona – it's nothing new – and I want to contribute and get back into the starting eleven as quickly as possible."
Cancelo, on the other hand, offered a more assertive assessment of Barcelona's performance, arguing that the result did not accurately reflect how the match unfolded from his perspective.
"We were the better side in my view, but this is Real Madrid – they create few chances and still score against you. Overall, we were the better team."
However, the Portuguese defender also acknowledged that Barcelona needed greater control with the ball rather than relying too heavily on their high press.
"We lacked a bit in that we often want to press high up the pitch, but there are times when we need to control the game with the ball – which is where we're good – by keeping possession and moving the ball around more, and we lacked that a little, even though we had more chances than Madrid,"he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
