Soccer-Barcelona destroyed themselves in defeat to PSG, says Gundogan

Soccer Football – Champions League – Quarter Final – Second Leg – FC Barcelona v Paris St Germain – Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain – April 16, 2024 FC Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan in action with Paris St Germain’s Marquinhos and Vitinha REUTERS/Albert Gea

(Reuters) – Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said his side had no-one to blame but themselves after they squandered a two-goal advantage and lost 4-1 to Paris St Germain to exit the Champions League on Tuesday.

After winning 3-2 in Paris and taking a 1-0 lead with an early Raphinha goal in the quarter-final second leg, Barca went down to 10 men when Ronald Araujo was shown a red card, before PSG took control of the match and secured a comeback win.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Quarter Final – Second Leg – FC Barcelona v Paris St Germain – Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain – April 16, 2024 Paris St Germain’s Marquinhos is shown a yellow card by referee Istvan Kovacs REUTERS/Albert Gea

“Very frustrated. Very disappointed. It really felt like that we had full control of the game. Started with a one-goal lead, and then after 10-15 it just felt like we destroyed ourselves,” Gundogan told TNT Sports.

“Yeah, (the red card changed the game). This is the Champions League. No matter who the opponent is, in such a tie, such an important game, going one man down so early… it’s impossible, then you are out, unfortunately.”

Soccer Football – Champions League – Quarter Final – Second Leg – FC Barcelona v Paris St Germain – Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain – April 16, 2024 FC Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo reacts after being shown a red card by referee Istvan Kovacs REUTERS/Albert Gea

Following Tuesday’s defeat, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez berated referee Istvan Kovacs and said his performance cost the LaLiga club a spot in the semi-finals.

Kovacs showed red cards to Araujo and Xavi, with five Barcelona players also receiving yellow cards.

Gundogan concurred with his manager’s opinion on the referee, saying he should have won a penalty after being tackled by PSG’s Vitinha in the box.

“At halftime, (the referee) didn’t have such a bad attitude. I haven’t seen any of the crucial actions on the replay, but it felt like he was very quick on the yellow cards for us,” the German said.

“In the second half, I think I should get a penalty. He clearly kicks me with his leg – if not, I can continue running. If he doesn’t kick me, I don’t fall. For me, that’s a penalty.

“That’s what I told him, to at least have a check, and he gave me a yellow card. I don’t know how it looks on TV – maybe my impression is wrong.”

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)