Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong said the Real Madrid players “went for” Lamine Yamal at the end of this afternoon’s El Clasico in retaliation at the Spain winger’s controversial pre-game comments.
Yamal claimed Madrid “steal” and “complain” in a YouTube interview promoting Gerard Piqué’s Kings League, and was booed throughout the game at the Santiago Bernabéu.
He was also the target at the final whistle with Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Spain team-mate Dani Carvajal making a gesture that suggested Yamal talked too much.
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It was exaggerated – De Jong unhappy with Madrid players
De Jong said: “When the referee whistled for the end [of the game] the Real Madrid players went for Lamine. It was exaggerated. You will have to ask them [why].”
De Jong was particularly surprised that Carvajal, Yamal’s captain with Spain, had sought to make such a public display of irritation.
The Netherlands international added: “You can talk privately. Making the gesture on the field… if you are a team-mate of Lamine and you don’t want him to make statements, you can call him and discuss it privately.”
As for Yamal’s comments, De Jong said: “Lamine didn’t say that Madrid steal. It’s a bit exaggerated.”
De Jong bemoans poor first-half showing from Barcelona
Madrid won a chaotic game 2-1 after deservedly edging out a Barca side who now find themselves five points adrift of their table-topping rivals.
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham scored for Madrid either side of a Fermin Lopez equaliser.
“In the first half, we weren’t very sharp with the ball, and they were very dangerous,” said De Jong.
“In the second half, we controlled the game, but we struggled to create dangerous chances.”
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