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 can be narrowed down to three chief culprits – but some in the dressing room are said to agree with him.

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.

That 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.’