‘Treble mentality’ – Ilkay Gundogan’s TV presenter wife Sara defends scathing assessment of Barcelona team-mates by ex-Man City captain following painful Champions League defeat to PSG

Ilkay Gundogan’s TV presenter wife has lauded her husband’s “treble mentality” following his scathing assessment of Barcelona’s Champions League exit.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• German midfielder pointed fingers of blame
• Disappointed to crash out of Europe
• Partner has saluted his desire to be the best

• Table of Contents

  Toggle

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Manchester City captain Gundogan – who claimed Premier League, FA Cup and European titles last season – did not hold back when casting a rueful eye over Barca’s 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain that saw them dumped out of continental competition at the quarter-final stage.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Gundogan appeared to point fingers of blame at Ronald Araujo, following his costly red card, while also questioning Joao Cancelo for conceding a penalty and Robert Lewandowski for failing to get tight enough when Vitinha put PSG 2-1 up on the night.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  There has been criticism of Gundogan’s post-match interview in Catalunya, and across social media, while Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto are among those to have posted messages pointing out that Barca “win and we lose as a team” and “achieve together”.

• WHAT SARA GUNDOGAN SAID

  Sara Gundogan has now spoken out in defence of her partner, saying in a message of her own that featured an image of her husband hoisting the Champions League trophy aloft as City skipper: “This man is a hard working guy and his football opinions are about improving and he is giving everything to this team. His mentality is a treble mentality.”

  Instagram