Ronald Araujo revives his Champions League ghosts: early expulsion against Chelsea

Ronald Araujo relived his UEFA Champions League ghosts this Tuesday at Stamford Bridge. As happened to him in the 23/24 season against PSG, the Uruguayan was sent off before halftime, this time for a second yellow card against Chelsea.

The Slovenian Slavko Vincic cautioned the Barça captain in the 31st minute for protesting a tackle on Lamine Yamal that seemed like a clear foul. Later, in the 44th minute, the Uruguayan made a late tackle on Marc Cucurella, and the referee did not hesitate to show him the second yellow card and, with it, the red.

The Chelsea full-back was the main protagonist of a first half without luck for Barça. In the 27th minute, the London team's '3' made a pass from the wing that led to an own goal by Jules Koundé. Cucurella appeared to be offside, but the semi-automatic VAR validated his position.

Fourth expulsion for Ronald Araujo with Barça

Eric García, who had repeated in the pivot position alongside Frenkie de Jong, moved back to the center of defense to accompany Pau Cubarsí in the axis. At halftime, Hansi Flick removed Ferran Torres to bring on Marcus Rashford, moving Fermín López back a few meters to help with recovery.

For Ronald Araujo, Tuesday's was his fourth sending-off with Barça in 190 official matches. In the league, the Uruguayan saw a couple of red cards in 130 appearances. In the Champions League, there have been two dismissals in 29 encounters.

Although the first yellow card is debatable as it was for a protest, **it's clear that the number '4' made a mistake with the tackle on Cucurella**. Knowing he was booked, the captain should have taken more precautions. Furthermore, it was a foul in an inconsequential area of the pitch, near the sideline and far from the box

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