Gómez aggrieved at Stuttgart defeat

VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gómez was "really angry" after his side paid for defensive lapses with a 2-0 home defeat against FC Barcelona in Group E.

Too hot
The German champions found the Catalan side too hot to handle at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, but Gómez – who almost gave Stuttgart the lead with a first-half hader – was not impressed with the way his side conceded goals to Carles Puyol and Lionel Messi to leave them with no points from their opening two UEFA Champions League group stage games.

Poor marking
"I'm really, really angry," said the 22-year-old. "We didn't mark at dead-ball situations. We started a bit poorly but we played the way we wanted to, had a bit of luck in the first 20 to 25 minutes but then we had chances. Then we spoiled it when we left Ronaldinho all alone to head and create the first goal. On the one hand it is great to put in a good performance but you can't lose like this."

Lyon next
Having lost 2-1 at Ibrox on Matchday 1, Gómez was pleased to see Rangers FC win 3-0 at Olympique Lyonnais last night, feeling that it gave his side some reason for optimism ahead of their upcoming double-header against the French champions. He said: "It's good that Rangers won, as I think Barça will beat them, so we have to do everything we can to beat Lyon – then we are back in business."

'The runaround'
Gómez's team-mate Ludovic Magnin agreed as he reflected on last night's defeat. "Once you go 1-0 down against Barcelona you've basically lost," said the Swiss defender. "They are so good at passing and giving you the runaround that you can't get back into the game. We have to win against Lyon now. The table looks bad right now but if regroup and start a little run we might still qualify for the knockout phase."