Ronald Araujo limits Barça in creating plays with his ball output

Flick's Barça is based on partnership. With possession in their favour, the defensive line moves forward several metres until it passes halfway, which allows the midfield players to also take steps forward. In this way, the opponent is trapped in their own half and has to run after the ball. The Barça players, endowed with great quality, move between the lines and filter passes constantly. However, for the whole mechanism to work properly, it is essential that the centre-backs are capable of good footwork and vision.

So far, in this area, everything has worked perfectly. Cubarsí and Iñigo have been the starting pair during the first part of the season, until the Basque player's injury. Together they form a very interesting tandem, as they are intelligent with and without the ball, strong in defence and become midfielders when looking forward. They also complement each other very well. The fact is that, with Martínez's absence, Ronald Araujo has taken that place and Barça's game is noticeably affected by the Uruguayan's lack of skills in this aspect.

Ronald Araujo's ball output

The defender born in Rivera is pure physical power. He is 1.88 meters tall, fast, strong, with a very powerful header and commands respect in duels. In fact, counting the four LaLiga and Champions League games he has played in 2025, he has won 74.5% of the matches played, has recovered 2.5 balls per game and has not been dribbled past on any occasion. Araujo's problem is not his defensive ability, he has always shown himself to be a real wall when he is in shape.

The situation that generates the most discomfort with Ronald is the ball output. When he arrived at FC Barcelona, ​​in 2018, his footwork was much worse. His improvement in this aspect is notable, especially during the time he was under the direction of Xavi Hernández. The coach from Terrassa helped him in this aspect and in others, such as positioning, to try to squeeze out his potential. However, this season, with the presence of Cubarsí and Iñigo, his seams are showing.

It is not something new, it has been going on for some time. In fact, last season, in the fateful European tie against PSG, Luis Enrique proposed a special strategy to take advantage of this deficiency. It came to light in his documentary 'You don't have a fucking clue': "He is a top player, but he is the one who has the most problems with the ball coming out. Every time he receives, we block a passing line and we are inside," said the Asturian coach. That is what happened, he did not make a mistake in anything. In fact, the plan worked out better than expected, as the Uruguayan ended up being sent off.

In the match against Alavés, Ronald was substituted for having received a yellow card and, probably, for his lack of solutions at the start of the plays. He lost possession 5 times when making long passes and the rest of his passes were horizontal, at the feet of the players dressed in blue and red who came to receive. In his place, Eric García came on who, together with Cubarsí, contributed a lot in the creation of plays. The reality is that Hansi Flick has a problem in this aspect. Although Araujo is good in defence, the ball is not at the level of his teammates.

The competition is fierce

Under Hansi Flick's command, the demand is maximum. Everyone wants to play, which forces them to give their all in every game. In fact, the German coach has not hesitated to bench a player who was not in top form. In the back line, the struggle will be maximum. A priori, the good precedent of the Cubarsí-Iñigo duo could give them an advantage. Likewise, Eric García, despite not having a starting role, contributes a lot when he is on the field.

The most complicated context is Andreas Christensen, who has been injured all season. However, Ronald Araujo's sporting situation is not comfortable either. After many rumours about his renewal, he has extended his contract until 2031 and is "very happy", as he himself publicly stated. However, the competition is fierce and, despite his great physical skills, his footwork could keep him from being a starter.