Beyond just the harsh defeat in the Champions League as a group, Barcelona also struggle individually. The collective loss to Paris Saint-Germain may not have been the doing of any one player, but many seem to think so. Most fingers would simply like to point towards a certain Uruguayan defender at Barcelona.
In the early stages of the game itself, with Barcelona cruising with a two-goal cushion, something went horribly wrong. Barcelona third captain Ronald Araujo charged in on PSG forward Barcola and took him down right outside the Barça box as the last man. All that fans and players on the field saw next was a flash of red and Araujo was asked to leave the field.
With their star defender out, Barcelona struggled from start to finish. PSG took notice and made sure that Barça were punished for the one thing that they were not supposed to do. Ultimately, the 1-4 defeat at home was quite disappointing for Barcelona against the Parisians and Araujo has seen a lot of complaints go his way.
However, football has offered him his chance of redemption and it comes in the form of an away game at the Santiago Bernabeu. Against Real Madrid, as highlighted by SPORT, Araujo has a chance to make amends and prove to Barcelona that he is still the man they can count on for the future.
The El Clasico, irrespective of its long-term impact in any given season, is a fight for honor and prestige. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid treat this as a sacred encounter, and one that both sides always give it their all to win. Whether it be as a friendly or as part of an official competition, this clash always delivers.
However, even Ronald Araujo will need to deliver as well this time. The players from Barcelona are determined to redeem themselves, and perhaps no player needs to do it more than the Uruguayan defender himself. As always, the clash will see him be put up against some of the most dangerous attackers in the world.
Vinicius Jr, for instance, will likely be the Uruguayan’s direct competition again. Usually, Barcelona have to put Araujo as a right-back to ensure that the Brazilian from Real Madrid is limited, but since Los Blancos have started to count on him more centrally, the Barcelona defender may just get to compete against him in his natural position as a central defender.
