Ilkay Gundogan's wife has added fuel to the fire of Barcelona's dressing room split after his brutal criticism of team-mates following their Champions League exit.
The Catalan giants crashed out of the Champions League when they lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their quarter-final clash on Tuesday night.
Afterwards, German midfielder Gundogan refused to hold back in a television interview as he criticised Ronald Araujo for getting himself sent off and Joao Cancelo for conceding a penalty.
Gundogan was also infuriated by the nature of Vitinha's goal to out PSG 2-1 ahead on the night, with Robert Lewandowski one of those who didn't get tight enough.
While reports in Spain suggested some within Barcelona's fractured dressing room agree with him, Sara Gundogan felt the need to defend her husband after a backlash against his public comments.
Posting a picture of Gundogan lifting the Champions League trophy while at Manchester City last season, she wrote: 'This man is a working hard guy and his football opinions are about improving and he is giving everything to this team.
'His mentality is a treble mentality.'
Gundogan, 33, was City's captain as they completed the triple of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League last season before he signed for Barcelona in the summer.
His hopes of replicating that European success with Barcelona went up in smoke on Tuesday night.
It came after Barcelona returned from Paris with a 3-2 advantage, that was then increased through Raphinha's early goal.
However, they capitulated after Ronald Araujo was sent off for a foul on Bradley Barcola, with PSG storming to victory thanks to goals by Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha and two from Kylian Mbappe.
Former Manchester City midfielder Gundogan previously slammed his team-mates after they lost 2-1 in the Clasico with Real Madrid back in October.
He was left upset by team-mates appearing to be unmoved by the loss and sitting on their phones in the dressing room afterwards.
On that occasion, Gundogan faced a backlash from the group over his public criticisms.
However, according to AS, on this occasion, quite a few colleagues have supported Gundogan's views, suggesting that there is now a split in the dressing room.
It comes as Barcelona prepare to face Real again at the Bernabeu this Sunday evening. Xavi's side currently sit eight points behind LaLiga leaders Real with seven games left to play.
Speaking post-match on Tuesday, Gundogan specifically criticised Araujo for his dismissal in the 29th-minute.
'If he [Araujo] fouled him [Barcola], I guess it's a red card. I haven't seen the replay, I don't know. You guys probably know better than us,' the German told CBS.
'It's difficult to say. I think, you know, in these kind of crucial moments you need to be sure to get the ball.
'If you don't [know whether you're going to get the ball], and again I don't know if he touched the ball or not, you have to stay away.
'I would prefer to concede a goal there or give the striker one-versus-one. 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 down one man so early in the game kills your game.'
While not naming names, Gundogan also criticised the manner of Vitinha's goal, with Robert Lewandowski the man responsible.
'Again, it's another mistake. I think we have to step out there and don't let him shoot because he was so free,' Gundogan said.
'I mean, it isn't anything we haven't trained to be honest. The closest man to the player, to the ball, has to step out. We were three with three and Vitinha was the fourth man.
'Someone has to step out but no one did, or did too late, it was a good shot and the second goal.
'Again, it was not necessary at all but it's too late right now.'
Joao Cancelo was also on the receiving end for conceding the penalty from which Mbappe made it 3-1 to PSG on the night, putting them ahead on aggregate.
Again, Gundogan didn't mention Cancelo by name but described it was a 'decisive action, a crucial situation… and they will punish you.'
LMRONY10
0
what gundogun said facts. individual mistakes cost us loose the game. but i don't really think that saying that public is the right way.. even gundogun himself had clear chances to, score still missed.
tazaekopty
4
Ilkay you are absolutely right the truth has to be said
Noor_Alam_Siddiqui
0
Gundogan was right here Araujo shouldn’t have fouled him at all because it’s easy to score a goal but once you are one player down at first half that ends it
He shouldn't say it in public. He could tell in dressing room but in public. He just disrespected the club
Niudempu
2
meanwhile some people shay away from telling the truth....gundo doesn't care...he was used to winning matches on daily basis with city
Barcafan1899forever
0
Gundogan was right here Araujo shouldn’t have fouled him at all because it’s easy to score a goal but once you are one player down at first half that ends it
Look at that scene again, it isn't foul, referee gave direct red, he could have given yellow card for this and with that red card referee practically killed the game.
sahilmujawar
1
gundo is right barca aren't changing their mentality playing the shit game again and again in UCl, this is ucl culers and we cannot let our mentality down it's not la liga barca isn't learning from their last disappointment ,barca should have compact their defense and just defend fucking man we wasted our two goal lead in that red card scam having this mentality will never help us in winning ucl (not even qualify for semis) come on wake up change a in mentality become a monster if you r losing then break them, kill them get more cards scare the oppenents when this dna will develop in us........ still i support i have faith in just grow up your mentality.... plz. plz...... we're fed like always..... Visca barca ❤💙
Coolluck26
2
he should fuckin leave
immo24
4
this could very well have been a private conversation among players, he could have said all of it to them instead of blasting them to the world. I don't care if you have a treble mentality, you really think Barca doesn't have a treble mentality ? this is just pathetic both from Ilkay and his wife
TheOddOne
2
Gunndoo is really disappointing. He is older and cannot help his team to win UCL
it_s_opto
1
Gundogan was right here Araujo shouldn’t have fouled him at all because it’s easy to score a goal but once you are one player down at first half that ends it
it wasnt a foul wtf are you talking, just a dive
rasq
5
You say it in the dressing room not in public we defend the team as a whole .Dont you see how xavi defends the team in the dressing room you can yell but not in public
Jummer
0
Let gundogan shot his mouth talking bla bla nonsense,we win as a team and lose as a team, how many blunders has gundogan made in the games he played, making unbelievable misses and he is even kina weak in the midfield,he just join Barcelona yesterday making himself as if he have being there for 5 to 10 years rubbish
All city Player feel themselves as invicible after last season succes they forgot Bayern 2020 won 6 cups a season and were cool.
pesceirsuy
1
Let gundogan shot his mouth talking bla bla nonsense,we win as a team and lose as a team, how many blunders has gundogan made in the games he played, making unbelievable misses and he is even kina weak in the midfield,he just join Barcelona yesterday making himself as if he have being there for 5 to 10 years rubbish
Milanogh
3
Gundogan was right here Araujo shouldn’t have fouled him at all because it’s easy to score a goal but once you are one player down at first half that ends it
Playmaker91
2
Gundogan is absolutely right 💯