Koeman makes defiant Barcelona claim after Real Madrid defeat

A five-point gap exists between the two old rivals, and the Catalan giants are now well off the pace early in the title race.

FC Barcelona might have lost out to Real Madrid but that doesn’t mean they are “inferior” to their arch-rivals,” insists Ronald Koeman.

Barcelona were found on the wrong end of the 2-1 scoreline at the end of Sunday’s El Clasico at Camp Nou.

The visitors taught the hosts, who controlled the ball more and created more goalscoring opportunities, that counterattack can be calamitous as Los Blancos scored both the goals on the break.

“I understand the people’s frustration, but today we have shown that we are not inferior to Real Madrid,” Koeman said at his post-match press conference (via Marca).

“If we had made it 1-0 and not conceded instead, everything would have changed.

“It is true that we were good in the first half and we controlled the game well. We had a great opportunity to take the lead. But in the second half, they have done their part and defended well and we have not been able to create danger.

“We are disappointed by the result but not by what we have done as a team.”