Barcelona forward Anthony Gordon has rejected claims that Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are superior to his club, insisting the Spanish champions have the quality to compete with Europe’s elite despite consecutive defeats to the two sides.
Barcelona lost 4-2 away to European champions PSG in the UEFA Champions League on October 20 before suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Real Madrid in the El Clasico on October 25.
The back-to-back setbacks ended Hansi Flick’s side’s unbeaten run and renewed questions about their ability to deliver against Europe’s strongest teams, particularly as Barcelona seek to win the Champions League for the first time since 2015.
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However, Gordon insisted that the defeats did not prove Madrid and PSG were better teams.
“I don’t think they’re above us. We have to take responsibility for both losses because they’re the two biggest games we played so far this season and we lost, but I don’t think they’re above us,” Gordon told reporters.
“I think we are a fantastic team, and on any given day we can beat anybody. In these two games, the PSG game has a bit of context… On the weekend in their league, they rested their whole team.
“We didn’t have this privilege, so we were really tired in the game. This is normal, fine; we have to take responsibility, but I think they had a massive advantage with this.”
Gordon also maintained that Barcelona deserved to win the Clasico, despite Real Madrid securing victory through a late goal from Kylian Mbappe after the hosts’ defence faltered.
“Madrid is the one game, the most important game we want to win. For me, we should have,” he said.
“For me, we were the better team in the game; we had all the ball, all the possession, and better chances, but we were a slight bit off our best game. It cost us in the end; we conceded two very bad goals.
“Against this kind of opposition and this level of player, it can really hurt you in these games. We’ll learn for next time, and I’m really excited to play these teams again to show what we can do.”
Barcelona will look to return to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League when they host Premier League side Aston Villa on Tuesday before travelling to face Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.
Barcelona signed Gordon from Newcastle United during the summer in a deal that could rise to €80 million ($89 million).
The 25-year-old has scored three goals and provided five assists in 13 appearances across all competitions for the Catalan club.
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