Barcelona’s Inigo Martinez feels that Ilkay Gundogan did not intend for his criticism of the team to spark controversy after the Clasico defeat.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Last month, the Catalan side lost 2-1 to Real Madrid after blowing a lead, which prompted a heated comment from Gundogan following the match in which he criticised the Barcelona team’s response to the setback. Gundogan’s remarks have caused some uproar as he called for greater fervour and cautioned his team that they were losing ground. Martinez has now claimed that Gundogan was just overcome by the passion of his first Clasico in an attempt to defuse the situation.

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

“It was just after the game, in the heat of the moment, we had just lost against Real Madrid and when you are in the heat of the moment, you say things you don’t mean,” he told Sport. “Whenever you’re like this, things usually don’t come out well and often contribute little.

“We all knew what he wanted to say and none of us felt singled out. The next day, we talked about it. It was in the heat of the moment because you lose against Madrid and you say things that you don’t really mean and you don’t want to say. Everything is solved, there are good vibes. There is no problem between us.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The midfielder’s future in Barcelona has already come under scrutiny. His wife Sara has previously refuted reports that Gundogan was unhappy with Barcelona’s attempts to help the family settle into life at the club, while his agent has hit back at claims the midfielder wants to move to Galatasaray.

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Barcelona are third in the league, four points behind surprise leaders Girona, and will be in action when they take on Rayo Vallecano on November 25.