FC Barcelona experienced one of the most difficult nights of this season on Tuesday as the Catalans fell to a 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint Germain in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The result in this match means the Blaugranes are eliminated from the tournament with a 6-4 scoreline on aggregate.
Barcelona had to play the majority of the game with a handicap, as Ronald Araujo was shown a red card in the 29th minute. PSG took full advantage of the situation after this event, and scored four goals to ensure they advanced to the next round of the tournament.
However, as Ilkay Gundogan mentioned when speaking to the media after the game, another referee decision could have turned the game in the Catalans’ favor, but the whistle remained silent as Marquinhos blocked his advance in the PSG box. As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the German recalled this event after the match:
“I think it deserved a penalty. I was running and the opponent clearly blocked me. I told the referee it was a penalty, and instead of that, I was shown a yellow card.”
The former Manchester City player believed the red card shown to Araujo was well-deserved, and this mistake cost the team heavily in a match of such significance:
“This is the Champions League. No matter the opponent, it’s impossible to come back if one of your players is sent off. We’re very disappointed. We felt like we had control of the game before the red card. If it’s a foul, it’s a red card.”
“I haven’t seen the replay, and you probably know better. It’s hard to say, but in these crucial moments, you have to be sure you can regain possession. If you don’t get the ball, and I don’t know if he touches it or not, you have to let it go. I’d rather concede the goal or leave the forward with a one-on-one.”
“He played the long ball, and I don’t know if he would reach the ball. I could have left the opportunity to our goalkeeper and let him save us or even concede a goal. Going down to ten men due to the early red card kills you.”
The midfielder also criticized his team for the mistake that led to the second goal for PSG on the night:
“Another mistake again. I think we had to go out and not let him shoot. He was alone. It’s not something we haven’t trained. The player closest to the ball has to go out.”
“We were three against three on the corner, and Vitinha was the fourth man, and someone had to go out. Nobody did, or they did it too late. It was a good shot, and it was the second goal. It was an unnecessary goal, but now it’s too late.”
Overall, the German shared he was quite disappointed with the conclusion of the match, not only because of the final result, but more so because of the strong position that Barcelona were in earlier in the tie:
“We were in a good position. Not only because of the first leg, but also because we scored the first goal. Everything was in our hands, but we let it slip away in the easiest way. We gifted it to PSG. That’s the most disappointing thing.”
Gundogan has never shied away from giving a stick to his team whenever they do not play up to the expected standards. Hopefully, his words will push his teammates to get back to their best and put in a revengeful display in the upcoming match against Real Madrid this weekend.
