Watch: The interview where Ilkay Gundogan points finger at Ronald Araujo, Joao Cancelo and Robert Lewandowski

Regarding Vitinha’s goal, Gundogan said ‘again a mistake’, as they did not close down the Portuguese midfielder for his strike. “It’s nothing we don’t train. Someone has to step out. It’s disappointing.” It was fellow veteran Robert Lewandowski who was closest to closing him down. Meanwhile Joao Cancelo was responsible for another ‘mistake at crucil moments’, as he gave away a penalty in a situation of minimal danger, which “in the Champions League, they punish you for.”

Gundogan did feel that he was unfortunate not to get a penalty of his own, confirming that he was clipped by Vitinha in the box, and explaining he could not understand why he was booked for asking referee Istvan Kovacs to look at the play again.

Frenkie de Jong commented after the match to Movistar+, as carried by MD, that he felt perhaps Barcola’s touch was taking the ball too close to Marc-Andre ter Stegen for Araujo to be sent off. The German goalkeeper was clear that while he did not want to call it a ‘mistake’, it was definitely a foul that could be given.

After El Clasico in the first half of the season, Gundogan also spoke to the media with brutal honesty about the attitude of his teammates, which he did not feel was up to standard. The 33-year-old was again critical of his teammates just days ahead of another clash with Real Madrid, as manager Xavi Hernandez pointed to the referee as the architect of Barcelona’s issues.

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