Araujo and Cubarsí, put to the test: The challenge they face after the break

FC Barcelona started LaLiga 2025/26 with 7 out of 9 possible points. The draw against Rayo (1-1) once again highlighted the defensive problems of the Azulgrana team, especially in the second half where, if it weren't for the saves of Joan García, the 'Culés' would have returned home without even a draw.

Hansi Flick opted for Eric García and Andreas Christensen instead of Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí. A 'wake-up call' for both, after a fairly poor night in Valencia against Levante (2-3), where Barça had to come back from a two-goal deficit in the second half.

Cubarsí must regain confidence alongside Araujo

The '5' had a particularly bad time at the Ciutat de Valencia, being surpassed on several occasions by Iván Romero. The 'Uruguayan' also did not have a quiet day and Flick preferred to put Christensen in his place in the last quarter of an hour.

In that sense, the Araujo-Cubarsí duo has not quite settled this season, after the departure of Iñigo Martínez. The Basque player was the ideal partner for Pau for most of the 24/25 season, which meant that the 18-year-old defender could play on the right, the profile that favors him the most.

With Araujo back in the XI, the Uruguayan is the one who covers the back of Eric or Jules Koundé, while Cubarsí must do the same with Alejandro Balde. After a fairly quiet afternoon in Mallorca (0-3), Levante created enough problems to reignite the alarms in the rear.

Although Barça, for the moment, maintains the same record of goals conceded compared to last year (3 in the first 3 games), the coaching staff does not want to give more facilities at the back than the team inevitably concedes by pushing its lines so far forward.

Barça depends on the Araujo-Cubarsí duo to defend better

Flick's wake-up call to his center backs: Araujo and Cubarsí, substitutes against Rayo

That Barcelona constantly bets on offside and pressure in the opponent's half is not new. However, any mistiming when pulling the squeeze or failure in the delivery can leave rivals one-on-one in the back. And it is this aspect that Flick seeks to correct as soon as possible.

Beyond Joan García's good work between the posts, the team must minimize risks, at least in terms of unforced errors. Improving efficiency in the exit with the ball under control and synchronization in the offside trap is key to suffering fewer scares at the back.

"I am not happy with the team because we have had too many losses of the ball", said Flick in the post-match press conference in Vallecas, where he also referred to the importance of prioritizing collective work over egos.

Levante fell 6 times in offside and Rayo 7. Even so, Granotas and Madrid natives generated multiple clear goal opportunities. Against Valencia at home, the Araujo-Cubarsí duo must return and take a step forward that allows them to regain confidence at the back. You can't score 3-4 goals in every game. You also have to know how to keep a clean sheet.