Barcelona maestro calls for self-reflection after defeat to Sevilla – ‘We didn’t know how to attack or defend’ | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Pedri did not mince his words following the team’s crushing 1-4 loss to Sevilla, a result that leaves the Catalans trailing behind Real Madrid in the La Liga standings.

The performance was far from the standard expected at Barça, and the defeat has disrupted what had been a steady start to the season under Hansi Flick.

After the match, Pedri was brutally honest about what went wrong and did not shy away from criticising the team’s lack of energy and structure.

“Awful. We haven’t played a game as bad as today’s.

“We have to be self-critical, recover now, and those of us who are playing with the national team can play there, but when we return, we have to think and reflect so that it doesn’t happen again,” said the midfielder.

Pedri highlights lack of intensity and control

The young Spaniard pointed out how Sevilla’s pressing completely unsettled Barcelona’s rhythm.

“With the ball, we didn’t know how to get out of that one-on-one pressure they used. We lacked intensity in defence. In the first half, we didn’t know how to attack or defend well.

“We need to improve a lot of things to continue the positive run we were on. We have to be self-critical and look at the things we’ve done wrong.

“The manager and I will work to improve them after the break.”

Pedri was extremely unhappy with the performance. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Pedri went on to admit that the team once again struggled with energy and focus. “In the first half, we had neither intensity nor quality on the ball. We didn’t know what to do with it.

“They won every duel against us. They knew how to attack us. We pushed our line when we shouldn’t have, especially with the ball.

“They made us one-on-one, and we didn’t know how to get out of the pressure.

On Lewandowski’s missed penalty

When asked about Robert Lewandowski’s missed penalty, Pedri downplayed its importance but admitted it could have changed the game.

“These are chances that can really make a difference in a match, but you can miss a penalty. You shouldn’t see that as a result.

“We weren’t good during the match. We had that chance to equalise, but we have to be self-critical and go out to the matches better.”

Finally, Pedri commented on a controversial moment involving Sevilla’s second goal, suggesting inconsistency from the referee.

“I saw Kounde’s foul from the sidelines, and the referee told me it was too minor. Then, on another occasion for Sevilla, I told him it was too minor, and he said I was right.

One time he calls it, and the other time he doesn’t, I don’t know. If VAR didn’t call it, it wouldn’t have been a foul,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo