Ilkay Gundogan’s brutal criticism of his Barcelona team-mates can be narrowed down to three chief culprits – but someone in the dressing room is said to agree with him.
The Catalan giants crashed out of the Champions League when they lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their quarter-final clash on Tuesday night.
That came after Barcelona returned from Paris with a 3-2 advantage, which was then increased through Raphinha’s early goal.
However, they capitulated after Ronald Araujo was sent off for a foul on Bradley Barcola, with PSG storming to victory thanks to goals by Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha and two from Kylian Mbappe.
Former Manchester City midfielder Gundogan previously slammed his team-mates after they lost 2-1 in the Clasico with Real Madrid back in October.
Ilkay Gundogan hit out at his Barcelona team-mates after their defeat by PSG on Tuesday night
The Catalan giants crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage to PSG
He was left upset by team-mates appearing to be unmoved by the loss and sitting on their phones in the dressing room afterwards.
On that occasion, Gundogan faced a backlash from the group over his public criticisms.
However, according to ASon this occasion, quite a few colleagues have supported Gundogan’s views, suggesting a split now within the dressing room.
It comes as Barcelona prepare to face Real again at the Bernabeu this Sunday evening. Xavi’s side currently sit eight points behind LaLiga leaders Real with seven sets of games left to play.
Speaking post-match on Tuesday, Gundogan specifically criticized Araujo for his dismissal in the 29th-minute.
‘If I [Araujo] fouled him [Barcola], I guess it’s a red card. I haven’t seen the replay, I don’t know. You guys probably know better than us,’ the German told C.B.S..
‘It’s difficult to say. I think, you know, in these kind of crucial moments you need to be sure to get the ball.
‘If you don’t [know whether you’re going to get the ball]and again I don’t know if I have touched the ball or not, you have to stay away.
‘I would prefer to concede a goal there or give the striker one-versus-one. Although, the ball was played quite far ahead so I don’t even know if he would have reached the ball.
Gundogan felt like Barcelona ‘gave the game away in the most simple of manners’ and stated Ronald Araujo deserved to be sent for fouling Bradley Barcola
Gundogan said Araujo should have allowed Barcola to go on and score rather than fouling him
Once down to 10 men, Barcelona collapsed and conceded four goals as PSG broke to the win
‘But, maybe let our goalkeeper save us or even concede a goal because to go down one man so early in the game kills your game.’
While not naming names, Gundogan also criticized the manner of Vitinha’s goal, with Robert Lewandowski the man responsible.
‘Again, it’s another mistake. ‘I think we have to step out there and don’t let him shoot because he was so free,’ Gundogan said.
‘I mean, it isn’t anything we haven’t trained to be honest. The closest man to the player, to the ball, has to step out. We were three with three and Vitinha was the fourth man.
Gundogan also moaned about how no one stepped out to close Vitinha for PSG’s second goal
Gundogan was also critical of Joao Cancelo’s foul on Ousmane Dembele to concede a penalty
‘Someone has to step out but no one did, or did too late, it was a good shot and the second goal.
‘Again, it was not necessary at all but it’s too late right now.’
Joao Cancelo was also on the receiving end for conceding the penalty from which Mbappe made it 3-1 to PSG on then night, putting them ahead on aggregate.
Again, Gundogan didn’t mention Cancelo by name but described it was a ‘decisive action, a crucial situation… and they will punish you.’