Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch believes Ronald Araujo’s straight red card in the first half of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain changed the outcome of the tie. Ferdinand says Araujo’s red in the 29th minute would have been “hard to swallow” amongst the rest of the Barcelona players while Crouch believes Barca “shot themselves in the foot”.
Rio Ferdinand says Ronald Araujo’s red card in Barcelona’s 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain “changed the game” as the French side sealed their place in the Champions League semi-finals.
Barcelona took a 3-2 lead going into the second leg at home and went 4-2 up when Raphinha slotted in Barca’s opener in the 12th minute on Tuesday night.
But the tie changed when Ronald Araujo was shown a straight red card for bringing down forward Bradley Barcola in the 29th minute.
Barcelona went on to concede four goals, two coming from Kylian Mbappe, and have exited the competition.
Ferdinand, speaking from personal experience, believes Araujo’s red would have felt like a “hangover” amongst the Barcelona players.
The former Manchester United defender said: “On performance over the two legs I think Barca were the better footballing team I’d say, but the sending off really changed this game.
“I played in the Champions League game when Nani got sent off and it does stick with you for a long time.
“It’s like a hangover that lasts a very long time because you feel aggrieved. Before that we probably thought we’d maybe win the game so it’s hard to swallow that.”
Ferdinand was also quick to praise the performance of Mbappe who has now scored 15 goals in 12 away Champions League knockout games. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (23 goals in 39 games) has scored more away from home.
He said: “There is going to be a moment in the game when Mbappe comes to the fore and it’s about quality and being decisive and clinical and he is that.”
Crouch says Araujo’s challenge was “rash” and that Joao Cancelo was “ridiculous” to slide in on Ousmane Dembele and concede a second-half penalty which was coolly converted by Mbappe.
“The sending-off was of course rash,” he said. “Xavi getting sent off you could see he lost his head. I don’t think the referee’s performance helped matters.
“Cancelo with a ridiculous decision to dive in there [for Mbappe’s penalty].