Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong tried his best to explain why the team are struggling to find their best form in the 2025-26 season after drawing 3-3 with Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The Catalan giants were able to snatch a point, after coming from behind three times, and survived a scare late on when Brugge had a goal ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny.
De Jong admitted his team really needed to win in Belgium and says the squad are working on how to improve.
“It’s a game we have to win. Obviously, we have to do things much better,” he told reporters. “There are things that need adjusting. We’re working on it, but we don’t always get it across to the field. That’s part of it.
“I think we’re weak right now on the counter-attack, because of marking, high pressing… how we position ourselves at the back. It’s a bit of everything.”
“We have to put last year behind us. We weren’t the best team in Europe last year either. We shouldn’t be stuck there; we have to improve. We didn’t win the Champions League either, and we conceded too many goals. We have to improve. If you concede three goals, it’s very difficult to win.”
De Jong also spoke about Yamal who scored a brilliant goal and also played a key role in Barca’s equaliser.
“Lamine has been good, but Lamine is a very good player,” he added.
“He’s special and will always make a difference. He might play better one day than another, but if he keeps working, there’s no need to worry about Lamine’s level.”
Barcelona’s next game in the Champions League is later this month against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
