'I would've preferred to concede than go down to 10 men'published at 12:58 British Summer Time 17 April 2024
Barcelona 1-4 PSG (4-6 agg)
Barcelona '"gave" Paris St-Germain their victory in the Champions League on Tuesday night, says midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Luis Enrique's side led 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate following Raphinha's early goal, but four unanswered PSG goals from Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha and a brace from Kylian Mbappe sealed 4-1 win on the night and a 6-4 aggregate victory for the French champions.
Barcelona played the majority of the second leg with 10 men after Ronald Araujo was shown a straight red card in the first half for a foul on Bradley Barcola.
"I'm disappointed, very disappointed," former Manchester City captain Gundogan told CBS Sports - as reported by Marca.
"It was in our hands and we gave it to PSG. We gave it to them in the easiest way."
The Germany midfielder added that unless Araujo would have been better off letting Barcola shoot rather than bring him down, which led to his dismissal.
He said: "It's hard to say, but in these crucial moments you have to be sure if you go for the ball.
"I don't know if he touches the ball or not. I prefer to concede a goal or even allow a one on one. Give the goalkeeper the opportunity to stop it or even give them the goal.
"Being one less so soon kills you in the game."
