In the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, FC Barcelona lost to Paris Saint-Germain 4-1, making it one of the hardest nights of the season for the Catalans.
After losing this game, the Blaugranes’ 6-4 overall record means they are out of the tournament.
Ronald Araujo was given a red card in the 29th minute, forcing Barcelona to play the majority of the match with a handicap.
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Following this incident, Barca News reports that PSG made the most of their opportunity, scoring four goals to guarantee their progression to the tournament’s next round.
Ilkay Gundogan note in his post-match media statement that a different call by the referee might have given the Catalans the advantage but Marquinhos stopped him from moving into the PSG box, so the whistle stayed silent. This is what the German remembered happening after the game, according to Mundo Deportivo:
“I believe the penalty was deserved. The opposition obviously blocked me as I was running. The referee gave me a yellow card even though I told him it was a penalty.”
Gundogan Comments On Arajuo’s Red Card Penalty
The former Manchester City player thought Araujo’s red card was warranted and in a game this important, the team suffered greatly as a result of this error:
“The Champions League is this.” It is impossible to recover if one of your players is sent off, regardless of the opposition. We’re quite let down. Before the red card, we thought we were in control of the game. There is a red card if there is a foul.
Although you most likely have more knowledge, I haven’t seen the replay. It’s difficult to say, but you need to be certain that you can retake control at these critical times. You have to let go of the ball if you don’t catch it—I’m not sure if he touches it or not. Giving up the goal or giving the forward a one-on-one is what I would prefer to do.
I’m not sure if he could reach the ball because he played the long ball. I could have given the chance to our goalkeeper and let him come through for us or even given up a goal. You fall when you are reduced to ten men because of the early red card.
The midfield player also took a swipe at his teammates for the error that gave PSG their second goal of the game:
Once more, another error. We had to leave, I believe, and stop him from shooting. He had the place to himself. We have received training for it. Out is the player who is closest to the ball.
Vitinha was the fourth man and we were three against three on the corner, so someone had to go. Either no one did or they acted too late. It was the second goal and it was a nice shot. Even though it was an unnecessary goal, it is now too late.
All things considered, the German expressed his dissatisfaction with the match’s outcome, primarily due to Barcelona’s dominant position earlier in the match:
“We were well positioned. Not just because of the first leg but also because we were the ones who opened the scoring. Even though everything was within our control, we chose the simplest route to let it go. To PSG, we gave it. That’s the most disappointing thing.
When his team fails to perform to the required level, Gundogan has never hesitated to discipline them. His remarks should inspire his teammates to perform at their highest level and deliver a vengeful performance in this weekend’s matchup against Real Madrid.
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