Champions League: Luis Enrique Claims PSG Would Have Won Without Ronald Araujo Red Card

Champions League: Luis Enrique Claims PSG Would Have Won Without Ronald Araujo Red Card

Isaac Darko
updated at April 17, 2024 at 6:13 AM
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  • Ronaldo Araujo was sent off as Barca's Champions League journey came to an end
  • Paris Siant-Germain capitalised on the red card, punishing La Blaugrana thoroughly
  • Luis Enrique believes the red card did not affect the outcome of the game in any way

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Luis Enrique has boasted that PSG would still have emerged victorious even if Ronald Araujo had not been sent off following Tuesday's 4-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at the Olympic Stadium.

In the 29th minute, with Barcelona leading 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate, Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs issued a red card to Araujo for a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola.

Ronald Araujo, Istvan Kovacs, referee, red card, Barcelona, PSG, Champions League.
Referee Istvan Kovacs tells Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo to leave the pitch after the latter received a red card. Photo by David Ramos.
Source: Getty Images

Barcelona were firmly in command before the Uruguayan was sent off, but the situation swiftly shifted once the defender exited the field.

Kylian Mbappé scored twice, accompanied by goals from Ousmane Dembélé - in his return to Barcelona - and Vitinha, as PSG reversed the tie, securing a 6-4 aggregate victory and advancing to the semifinals against Borussia Dortmund.

Enrique said after the match via Tribuna:

"Even without Araujo's red card, we would have won, but I can't prove it."

After Araujo's red card, Xavi decided to take off Yamal for defender Inigo Martinez, which may have also played a part in their downfall.

How PSG thumped Barcelona

Per ESPN, Barcelona entered Tuesday's match with a 3-2 lead from the first leg. They extended their advantage to two goals when Raphinha scored in the 12th minute following excellent play by Yamal.

However, the game turned just before the half-hour mark when Araújo was sent off for pulling down Barcola just outside the box.

Dembélé and Vitinha scored on either side of halftime to level the tie for PSG, with Mbappé putting them ahead from the penalty spot in the 61st minute.

Barcelona missed opportunities to equalise on aggregate before Mbappé secured the win with a counter-attack goal in the 89th minute.

What's next for PSG and Barcelona

PSG will now refocus on Ligue 1 this weekend, heading to Lyon with a commanding 10-point lead atop the table. They also have the French Cup final ahead as they pursue a treble.

Meanwhile, Barcelona faces a crucial match at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid in El Clásico.

A win is imperative to maintain their faint title aspirations, as Madrid holds an eight-point lead with seven games remaining.

Fans divided over Araujo's red card

Sports Brief also reported that opinions among football fans have been split regarding Araujo's red card during Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Fans have been divided on whether the 25-year-old deserved to be sent off for his tackle, which some perceived as being relatively minor in nature.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)