Ilkay Gundogan unhappy with Barcelona’s goalless draw vs Athletic Club: “Show a little more character”

Ilkay Gundogan has come to the limelight several times for his unfiltered thoughts on the team’s performance, especially after defeats. As the former captain of a treble-winning side under Pep Guardiola, the German international is well-versed with a champion mentality and the high degree of self-criticism that comes with it.

The former Manchester City star started and played the full ninety minutes during the team’s recent draw with Athletic Club and was understandably far from satisfied with the result. After all, it was a golden chance for the Blaugranas to re-enter the title race and close the gap with Real Madrid.

Speaking to La Liga TV after the game at San Mames, Gundogan once again did not hold back in criticising the team for the glaring flaws and the poor performance on the night. He began, however, by dealing with the two key injuries Barcelona sustained on the night with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.

“It’s very disappointing for us of course, because obviously not only did we lose two points against Bilbao, we also lost two of our best players. Two players play a crucial role for us and are very important to the team.”

“They bring quality to the field that other players do not bring. We lost them early at the beginning of the season,” he added.

Despite the two big losses, Gundogan insisted that the men in garnet and blue had to warrior on as they did not have any room for excuses.

“But there is also no excuse. We are Barcelona and we have a responsibility to win matches. No matter who is playing or who is on the field, this is the responsibility here.”

Looking back towards the lacklustre 90 minutes his team put up in the Basque country, the German midfield maestro said,

“I’m not really happy. I think we started the game well in the first few minutes. We were very good. We moved the ball well. Maybe we didn’t create a clear chance, but I feel we started confidently.”

“Then, as time passed in the match, we became more passive, we started making easy passes, we started making unnecessary tackles, we weren’t patient enough. And yeah, I wouldn’t say we got them back into the game because I feel like we also didn’t concede a lot of chances,” he added on Barcelona’s failure to create chances.

Giving credit where it was due, the midfielder legend admitted that playing against Athletic Club was easier said than done, more so at the San Mames.

“Certainly our standards for ourselves are higher. And I can understand that this is a very difficult place to actually play. They have a very good team, they play with intensity, they are physical, they have a great crowd, amazing fans, amazing atmosphere.”

“It’s definitely one of the most difficult places to play this season in La Liga. But I hope that sometimes we can show a little more character and prove to ourselves that we are ready for this big task, because today felt like a big match,” he added.

Towards the end of his interview, the Barcelona star was asked if the draw with Ernesto Valverde’s side was a step backwards after the 4-0 win over Getafe, to which he replied:

“No, I don’t think it’s a step backwards. Maybe if we weren’t eight points off the pace, a draw here would actually not be such a bad result. Because you have to give it to them, you know.”

“Maybe today they were not at their best, but on the other hand, it is also a little because of us. But still, there was more for us in that game. And you know, if you smell it, you’ve got to take those chances,” he added.

Finally, Gundogan stressed the importance of wins as the season progressed and how every point salvaged was worth its weight in gold at this point in the campaign.

“We’re approaching the final stretch of the season where every win is crucial. Especially today would have been more decisive for us after what happened earlier today and yesterday. And yeah, so it seems more frustrating.”