Pedri and Cubarsi Reflect on Barcelona's 1-2 Loss to Real Madrid: 'We Didn’t Play Well'

Pedri openly acknowledged that Barcelona failed to perform at their usual standard during their 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the opening El Clásico of the 2026/27 season. He pointed out slow ball movement and costly errors as key reasons behind the defeat.

The midfielder spoke right after the match, admitting the team’s struggles especially in the first half. Despite an improved showing after halftime and an equalizer, a counter-attack goal from Real Madrid sealed the victory for the visitors.

"Overall, we didn’t play a great game. In the first half, we weren’t ourselves; there were things we could have done better," Pedri said. "In the second half, we equalised and played better, but their second goal came from a counter-attack that we didn’t defend well."

He also highlighted how Barcelona lacked rhythm and made too many simple mistakes against a sharp opponent who capitalized on every lapse.

"We lacked rhythm on the ball. In the first half, we were very slow and made a lot of silly mistakes, and against teams like this, you pay the price," Pedri added.

Despite the defeat, Pedri reminded everyone that La Liga is a lengthy competition, stressing the need to move forward rather than dwell on the setback.

"We need to improve to keep going. It’s three points; we wanted to win El Clásico in front of our fans, but it’s a long season. The league is a long one. It’s a match we all want to win to dedicate it to the fans; it wasn’t to be, and we’re leaving here sad, but we have to focus on the next one. This is a long season, and you don’t win the league here."

Cubarsi Urges Team to Use Defeat as a Wake-Up Call

Defender Pau Cubarsi shared Pedri’s disappointment but encouraged Barcelona to take the loss as a moment to learn and grow as the campaign continues.

"We were a bit disappointed with how the match went. We didn’t rise to the standard the match deserved either," Cubarsi said. "We could have reacted better, and it’s only October – this has only just begun. We need to make this a turning point and go for more."

While acknowledging the demanding schedule and fatigue, Cubarsi refused to accept it as an excuse for the team’s performance.

"It’s no excuse, but the fixture list: we’ve played a lot of matches, clocked up a lot of minutes and were tired, but we can’t use that as an excuse. We have to win as many matches as possible, and this is a turning point that must help us be ready when the crucial moments arrive," he concluded.

Match Recap

• Final Score: Barcelona 1 - 2 Real Madrid
• First Half: Barcelona struggled to find rhythm, making errors leading to Real Madrid’s advantage.
• Second Half: Barcelona equalised but conceded again on a counter-attack.
• Key Issues: Slow possession, defensive mistakes, lack of consistency.