Ilkay Gundogan blames Barcelona teammate for early Champions League exit

Ilkay Gundogan admits he was left disappointed after Ronald Araujo's red card «killed» Barcelona's chances of progressing in the Champions League.

Barca were forced to accept an early exit from European football on Tuesday night after suffering a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their quarter-final clash.

The Spanish side looked like favourites to progress, beating PSG in the first leg and being the first side to score at their home ground. However, an early red card awarded to Araujo shifted the game, and soon the La Liga side were struggling with ten men.

The German international has placed blame on Araujo, saying his sending off «gave away» a Champions League spot to PSG.

«I am disappointed,» Gundogan began. «Very disappointed actually as we were in such a good position.

»Not just after the first leg, but after the first goal we scored. Everything was in our hands and we just gave it away in the most simple of manners. We just gave it to Paris Saint-Germain and that's the most disappointing part.

«If he fouled him, I guess it's a red card. I haven't seen the replay, I don't know. It's difficult to say. You know, in these kinds of crucial moments you need to be sure to get the ball. If you don't, and again I don't know if he touched the ball or not, you need to stay away. 

»I would prefer to concede a goal there or give the striker 1v1. Although, the ball was played quite far ahead so I don't even know if he would have reached the ball. But, maybe let our goalkeeper save us or even concede a goal because to go a player down so early on just kills your game."

Araujo has already publicly thanked fans who stood by him after his red card, apologising for failing to help his side advance.

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