Barcelona need Ronald Araujo
this season. It’s as simple as that.How big his role will be down the stretch, however, is yet to be determined.
Against Albacete in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, he showed
once again that his physical attributes are a difference maker. He spent the game chasing down attackers, winning duels on the ground and in the air, and ultimately rising for the game winning header.
It seems clear that Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, and even Gerard Martín, are ahead of him in the pecking order, and honestly, that’s fine. In fact, being a rotational player may be what’s in the best interest of the player at the moment.
It’s also a role that Hansi Flick will need him to perform well, whenever his number is called.
Barcelona is alive in every competition.
There’s just a one-point lead in La Liga, they are now in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League round of 16 is right around the corner. The calendar will be demanding, and all the players will need days off from time to time.
Beyond the rotation, Araujo’s return will remind everyone of certain situational advantages only he can provide.
There may be games when it makes sense to deploy him for tactical reasons.
He is the team’s best defender of set pieces, an area of vulnerability for the Blaugrana. In the past he has pocketed some of the most dynamic and dangerous attackers in the game, just ask Vinicius Junior. Araujo has also been good for a goal in crunch time.
Beyond that, he is also someone who is a spiritual leader for his teammates.
From the beginning of his career, he was out there delivering crunching interventions that would keep opponents honest, while turning the momentum for his team, providing a boost of adrenaline when they needed it most.
This style of play has also gotten him into trouble in high profile games. He may be a bull in a china shop at times, but if he can rein that in, a bull may be just the thing that Barcelona needs.
It’s been sad to see him go from a true hero to zero in the minds of so many Barca fans.
The question many will be asking now, especially after he took a short break away from the game, is if Araujo has reached a turning point.
Is he ready for a career comeback? Does he still have a future at Barcelona?
In the coming months, it looks like Araujo will continue to have opportunities to test and prove himself.
By the look of it on the field, his coach and his teammates still have his back.
Seeing him get back to his best would be an incredible feel good story, and it would be an indicator of good things to come for Barcelona too.
