A turning point in the game shifted the momentum in favor of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the second leg of Barcelona and PSG’s Champions League quarterfinal match, ultimately resulting in Barcelona’s elimination from the competition. Barcelona’s performance suffered a major setback when defender Ronald Araujo was dismissed in the 29th minute of play. The PSG player Bradley Barcola was fouled by the referee, Istvan Kovacs, as he was approaching the penalty area after being put through. Araujo received a straight red card when the referee and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) determined that the Uruguayan defender had used needless force.
Araujo’s ejection changed the course of the game. Early in the game, Barcelona had gained the lead, but they were exposed because Araujo, a crucial member of their defense, was not there. After Araujo was sent off, PSG took advantage of the situation and scored four goals in a row. This resulted in a 4-1 loss for Barcelona on the night and a 6-4 loss on aggregate, which eliminated Barcelona from the Champions League quarterfinals.
Reactions to the decision to fire Araujo were not unanimous. Some contend that, in light of the missed chance to score a goal, the referee’s assessment of the foul was accurate. Some, however, argue that Araujo’s response was not overly harsh and that the referee’s choice was impacted by the pressure of the match and PSG’s need to keep a competitive advantage. The incident also called into question the impact of VAR during such crucial times and the impartiality of the referee’s judgment.
Araujo red card had a significant effect on Barcelona’s play. Barcelona’s defense was more weaker without Araujo, which resulted in a number of mistakes and bad choices that added to their loss. The absence of Araujo and other important players underscored how crucial it is to have a solid defensive lineup in games with a lot of stakes. Barcelona’s elimination from the Champions League quarterfinals was a major blow to the team’s standing in European football as well as to the club itself.
Following the dismissal of Ronald Araujo during Barcelona’s Champions League quarterfinal encounter against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the coaching staff, under the direction of manager Xavi, had a strong reaction. Particularly Xavi expressed his disapproval of the ruling, calling it a “disaster” and expressing his aggravation with the referee’s choice to send Araujo off the field. Xavi believed that Barcelona’s performance and the result of the game were negatively impacted by the decision to display a red card at such a pivotal point in the game. He underlined the value of keeping a balanced team and the consequences of losing a player early in the match, particularly if your team is up on the score overall.
Barcelona’s star player Ilkay Gundogan expressed his doubts about Araujo’s judgment in the incident that resulted in his red card. Gundogan questioned whether Araujo ought to have touched Barcola, stating that players had to make sure they obtain the ball and don’t commit needless fouls during pivotal situations. He regretted that Barcelona lost the match as a result of that choice, particularly because they were leading and had a chance to keep the advantage.
