Ilkay Gundogan slams Barcelona teammate for costly mistake in PSG defeat

Barcelona’s European campaign ended on Tuesday night (Picture: Getty)

Ilkay Gundogan slammed his teammate Ronald Araujo for the mistake he believes cost Barcelona the match in their Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain.

Leading 3-2 from the first leg in Paris, the Catalan giants took control of the tie after Raphinha scored after just 12 minutes at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

Barcelona’s game plan was left in tatters however when Araujo was shown a straight red card after 29 minutes for hauling back Bardley Bacola on the edge of the box, deemed to have denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.

PSG went onto win 4-1 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate with Kylian Mbappe putting the tie to bed with two second-half goals.

Araujo argued he was not the last man back after being given his marching orders, insisting his defensive partner Pau Cubrasi was covering. A VAR check agreed with the on-field decision however with Gundogan questioning the decision-making of his teammate at such a crucial moment in the game.

“It’s hard to say… But in these crucial moments you have to be sure if you go for the ball,’ the former Manchester City star said.

‘I don’t know if he touches the ball or not. I prefer to concede a goal or even allow a one on one.

Araujo was sent off in the 29th minute (Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t know if he got to the ball or not, but give the goalkeeper the opportunity to. stop it, or even give them the goal.

‘Being one less so soon kills you in the game.’

Barcelona head coach, Xavi, who was himself shown a red card in the second-half, was furious with referee Istvan Kovacs and insisted the decision to send off Araujo ‘killed the game’.

‘We are disgruntled and angry because I think that the decision decides the tie,’ said Xavi, who will step down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season.

‘Eleven against eleven we were well organised. The decision makes the tie completely. For me it is too much to give a red for this play and from then on it is a different game.

‘I told the referee that he was very bad, that he was a disaster and does not understand football. It killed the tie. It changes everything. I don’t like to talk about the referees but we have to say it, we can’t stay silent.’