Barcelona’s dressing room split: Ilkay Gundogan’s dismantling of his team-mates is nailed down on to THREE big-name culprits – and ‘other players support his criticism’
Ilkay Gundogan’s brutal criticism of his Barcelona team-mates will be narrowed down to three chief culprits – however some within the dressing room are mentioned to agree with him.
The Catalan giants crashed out of the Champions League once they misplaced 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain within the second leg of their quarter-ultimate conflict on Tuesday evening.
That got here after Barcelona returned from Paris with a 3-2 benefit, that was then elevated by way of Raphinha’s early purpose.
However, they capitulated after Ronald Araujo was despatched off for a foul on Bradley Barcola, with PSG storming to victory thanks to targets by Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha and two from Kylian Mbappe.
Former Manchester City midfielder Gundogan beforehand slammed his team-mates after they misplaced 2-1 within the Clasico with Real Madrid again in October.
He was left upset by team-mates showing to be unmoved by the loss and sitting on their telephones within the dressing room afterwards.
On that event, Gundogan confronted a backlash from the group over his public criticisms.
However, according to AS, on this event, fairly a couple of colleagues have supported Gundogan’s views, suggesting that there is now a cut up within the dressing room.
It comes as Barcelona put together to face Real once more on the Bernabeu this Sunday night. Xavi’s facet at the moment sit eight factors behind LaLiga leaders Real with seven video games left to play.
Speaking publish-match on Tuesday, Gundogan particularly criticised Araujo for his dismissal within the 29th-minute.
‘If he [Araujo] fouled him [Barcola], I suppose it is a crimson card. I have not seen the replay, I do not know. You guys most likely know higher than us,’ the German advised CBS.
‘It’s troublesome to say. I feel, you understand, in these variety of essential moments you want to make sure to get the ball.
‘If you do not [know whether you’re going to get the ball], and once more I do not know if he touched the ball or not, you’ve gotten to keep away.
‘I would favor to concede a purpose there or give the striker one-versus-one. Although, the ball was performed fairly far forward so I do not even know if he would have reached the ball.
‘But, perhaps let our goalkeeper save us and even concede a purpose as a result of to go down one man so early within the recreation kills your recreation.’
While not naming names, Gundogan additionally criticised the way of Vitinha’s purpose, with Robert Lewandowski the person accountable.
‘Again, it is one other mistake. I feel we have now to step on the market and do not let him shoot as a result of he was so free,’ Gundogan mentioned.
‘I imply, it is not something we’ve not skilled to be sincere. The closest man to the participant, to the ball, has to step out. We have been three with three and Vitinha was the fourth man.
‘Someone has to step out however nobody did, or did too late, it was a great shot and the second purpose.
‘Again, it was not obligatory in any respect however it’s too late proper now.’
Joao Cancelo was additionally on the receiving finish for conceding the penalty from which Mbappe made it 3-1 to PSG on the evening, placing them forward on combination.
Again, Gundogan did not point out Cancelo by title however described it was a ‘decisive motion, a vital state of affairs… and they are going to punish you.’
