ILKAY GUNDGODAN all but named, blamed and shamed two key Barcelona team-mates on live TV after PSG’s shock Champions league triumph.
The Manchester City legend singled out Ronald Araujo‘s reckless red card as the turning point and appeared to criticise Robert Lewandowski for the visitors’ second goal in a 4-1 win.
https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazoIlkay Gundogan gave a frank breakdown of Barca’s individual failings[/caption]
Kylian Mbappe‘s double then sealed PSG‘s place in the semi-finals and a6-4 triumph on aggregate.
Afterwards Gundogan took the unusual step of publicly putting fellow Barca stars in the firing line.
The midfielder brutally dissected two costly moments as Barcelona‘s 3-2 lead from the first leg in Paris crumbled in Spain.
Raphinha‘s 12th minute opener had put the LaLiga giants 4-2 up overall.
But Araujo’s moment of double discomfort left PSG scenting a famous success.
First, the Uruguay centre-back’s poor pass let in Bradley Barcola
Then as he tried to make up for his error, Araujo was adjudged to have impeded the speedy Frenchman as Barcola zoomed in on goal from the left.
The defender was given a straight red, although some observers reckoned it was slightly harsh to deem he had denied a clear scoring opportunity.
AFPRonald Araujo is stunned by his red card which took the tie away from Barca[/caption]
Gundogan said afterwards: “You know, in these kind of crucial moments you need to be sure to get the ball.
“If you don’t, and again I don’t know if he touched the ball or not, you need to stay away.
“I would prefer to concede a goal there or give the striker 1v1.
“Although, the ball was played quite far ahead so I don’t even know if he would have reached the ball.
“But, maybe let our goalkeeper save us or even concede a goal because to go a player down so early on just kills your game.”
Ex-Barca wideman Ousmane Dembele hit PSG’S leveller on the night after 40 minutes.
Then came the Vitinha goal that put the visitors in front and Lewandowski in the dock.
The Polish strike legend seemed to run out leisurely from a PSG short corner rather than close down the midfielder – who then fired home spectacularly from long range.
Lewandowski raised more question marks by merely lifting one leg and turning his back as the ball whistled past him and into thre net.
Gundogan didn’t mention any name but said: “Again, it’s another mistake. We have to step out there.
“We can’t let him shoot because he was so free.
It wasn’t anything we haven’t trained before. The closest player to the ball has to step out. We were three with three and Vitinha was the fourth man.
“Someone has to step out. No one did or they did it too late.
“It was a good shot and they got their second goal. But, it wasn’t necessary at all. It’s too late right now.”
A penalty and a late strike from Mbappe – who is expected to join Real Madrid next summer – then finished Barca off.
Gundogan., a 2023 Treble winner with Pep Guardiola’s City, added: “I am disappointed. Very disappointed actually as we were in such a good position.”
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