Barcelona Are Not Behind PSG or Real, Says Gordon, Blaming Two Big Defeats on Their Own Mistakes

Barcelona have lost the two most important matches of their season so far. First came a 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League, followed by a 2-1 home loss to arch-rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico for Hansi Flick's side. After those two blows, questions have been raised about the Spanish champions' quality, but Barcelona's English winger Anthony Gordon insists that neither PSG nor Real Madrid are ahead of Barcelona.

Before losing to European champions PSG on 20 October, Barcelona had been unbeaten this season. The defeat to Real in El Clasico at home then followed on 25 October. Barcelona have not won the Champions League since 2015, which has renewed the debate about the team's ability on the biggest stage.

Gordon, however, blames his own team's mistakes rather than the opponents' superiority for the two defeats. He told reporters: 'I don't think they (PSG and Real) are ahead of us. We have to take responsibility for the two defeats. Because the two most important matches we have played so far this season, we lost both. But I don't think they are ahead of us.'

Gordon also expressed his faith in Barcelona, believing his team can beat any side on any given day. But he says there was some context behind the PSG match as well.

His explanation is that PSG rested their entire team in their league match before the game, while Barcelona had no such opportunity and had to play while tired. In his words: 'We didn't get that opportunity. So we were really very tired in the match. That's normal. Okay, we have to take responsibility. But I think they got a big advantage in this case.'

Gordon also has regrets about the Real Madrid defeat, which Real won through a late goal from Kylian Mbappe. He believes Barcelona were actually the better side in the match, saying: 'The match against Madrid is the match we wanted to win the most. I think we should have won it.'

Giving his reasoning, Gordon added: 'In my opinion, we were the much better team in the match. We had the ball, we had possession, we created more good chances. But we couldn't play our best game. In the end we paid the price. We conceded two very bad goals.'

Gordon's realisation is that against opponents of this level, even a small mistake carries a big price. But he wants to learn from these matches and is waiting to face such opponents again to prove the team's ability.

Barcelona now have the chance to bounce back. Tomorrow night they face English club Aston Villa at Camp Nou in the Champions League. Then on Sunday, Flick's side play away at Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Gordon sounded cautious about the Aston Villa match. Facing an English club gives him no extra motivation, he said: 'I am always motivated the same way. Just because they are an English team, the match is not more motivating for me.' Praising the opponents, he added: 'They are a very good team. Their coach Unai Emery is great, one of the best coaches in the world. The match is going to be very difficult.'

Aston Villa have a 100 percent winning record in the Champions League so far, having beaten Viking, Fenerbahce and Club Brugge.

Barcelona signed Gordon from Newcastle in last summer's transfer window, in a deal that could be worth up to 80 million euros. The 25-year-old winger has so far played 13 matches in all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 3 goals and providing 5 assists.

Despite a good start, Gordon believes he has not yet shown his best form, saying it is taking time to adapt to a new team and a new environment. He said: 'It is a big change for me. A new team. A very big change for me and my family too. The start has been good. But as I have said many times before, I have the ability to do better. It will take some time to grow, adapt and settle here. When that happens, you will see my best. So far, you definitely haven't seen my best game.'