Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has waded into the current debate around Ronald Araujo and Ilkay Gundogan after the midweek Champions League defeat.
Gundogan was critical of his team-mates after the game, with Araujo making it fairly clear he wasn’t too impressed with the German’s words.
Yet Puyol reckons Gundogan had the right intentions and believes the two players will have already tried to resolve the matter.
“Everyone is free to say what they believe. I am in favor of the things that have to be talked about, being talked about within the locker room. I also believe that he [Gundogan] gives an opinion without bad intentions,” he said.
“Many times he gets more impact from the press than inside the locker room, we know perfectly well how all this works. We have to try not to say too many things outside, because then they can be interpreted in many ways. But I am convinced that he had no bad intention. I don’t think it’s necessary for Xavi to bring anyone together. I think they will have already spoken in the locker room and everything will be resolved.
“In general terms, from my experience of how the locker room issue works, I am convinced that if there is any misunderstanding, they will have already spoken, people understand each other and that’s it. He’s talking more outside than inside, I’m convinced.”
Sergi Roberto has also played down the situation ahead of El Clasico as Barcelona aim to bounce back from a difficult few days after their Champions League exit.
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
