Barcelona star Raphinha has cited fatigue as part of their decline in form over the past two months, as has Jules Kounde. The Blaugrana have recorded just one win in their last six La Liga games and have surrendered a nine-point lead in the table.
They go into their top-flight match with Atletico Madrid on points level, although Los Colchoneros still have a game in hand. Speaking to ESPN, Raphinha explained that they have calmed down.
“It's up to us. We have been bad. We have lowered our level. Perhaps we have had a lack of concentration at times and that has cost us a lot.”
“And tiredness too. If I told you that we weren't tired in certain games when we dropped points, I'd be lying. So fatigue I think is the biggest factor, but we have also dropped our level.”
On addressing these issues, Raphinha said it was a matter of attitude.
“What I think is that we have to approach every match, every team, as the most powerful team in the world. If we did that, I think we would be a lot more focused, defend together, attack together and be more focused on scoring goals.”
“If we think every game that this is the most important one, we will be better.”
Kounde's diagnosis of the problems facing Barcelona is along the same lines.
“It's a little bit of everything. We're just playing a little less well in every aspect of the game.”
“We start with the pressure [not being as good]It is also the focus. Technically we lose too many balls, especially in LaLiga, because we are doing well in the Champions League.
“I'd say it's mostly us. I give credit to the team that beat us or drew us, but in every game we had the chance to win and we just didn't play well enough or score our chances. It is up to us to put this right.”
“We love these games [against teams like Atletico]. We have done great so far this season in these games, let's say the big games.”
Barcelona have conceded several late goals in recent weeks that have led to points being lost, most notably against Real Betis and Celta Vigo. However, their level of play has dropped overall, even during their wins over Borussia Dortmund and Brest.
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