The Basque defender impressed with his solid defensive display, leadership, and anticipation, earning Flick’s full confidence. This performance, coupled with Pau Cubarsi’s continued excellence, led Flick to make a pivotal decision: Ronald Araujo has lost his spot in the starting lineup.
Initially viewed as a bench player when he joined Barcelona, Inigo Martinez has become an essential part of the team. His experience and leadership have been invaluable, especially as Cubarsi rapidly develops. In the Rayo Vallecano match, Inigo’s solid aerial duels, precise ball distribution, and excellent positioning highlighted his importance, while Cubarsi’s maturity and tactical intelligence further solidified the defensive pairing.
This shift has left Araujo in a difficult position. Once regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, Araujo has seen his role diminish in recent games. His omission from the Rayo Vallecano match in favor of Inigo and Cubarsi suggests that this partnership is likely to continue. Flick prefers the intelligent, tactical play of Inigo and Cubarsi over Araujo’s more physical and aggressive style.
This change is no coincidence, as Araujo’s recent mistakes, including a costly red card against Paris Saint-Germain, have raised concerns about his form. With rumors of Araujo’s potential summer departure gaining traction, Premier League clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly interested. Barcelona, facing financial difficulties, could consider selling Araujo if a lucrative offer comes through.
Overall, the match against Rayo Vallecano reinforced that Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi are now Flick’s first-choice defensive pairing, leaving Araujo’s future at Barcelona uncertain.
