The elimination in the Champions League has left deep scars in FC Barcelona's locker room. The blow at San Siro, with a 4-3 aggregate against Inter, has marked a turning point. From the club, weighty decisions have already started to be made.
The first to be affected has been Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan center-back, who already accumulated errors in key matches, was completely exposed. This time, there will be no possible redemption.
Flick no longer trusts Araujo
For weeks, the coaching staff had been evaluating his performance. Flick expected a reaction at the decisive moment, but it didn't come. Araujo failed again on the worst day.
Poorly positioned, slow in coverage, without leadership. San Siro was his definitive sentence. Although he renewed a few months ago, his 65 million euro clause is no longer seen as a barrier, but as an opportunity.
Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Manchester United have shown interest. At Barça, the option of selling him this summer is gaining more strength every day.
A necessary cleanup
The internal message is clear: if the club wants to compete in the Champions League, it needs a more solid defense. If that means letting Araujo go, no one will oppose it. Neither Flick, nor Deco, nor Laporta.
The elimination has served to confirm what many suspected. Some key players are no longer up to the new project's standards. In a Barça aiming high, there's no room for doubt.
There's another name that has been marked. One who came to cover an absence and didn't meet expectations. Quietly, without gross errors, but without offering what was desired.
It's Wojciech Szczęsny. The Polish goalkeeper, who came due to Ter Stegen's injury, was another of the casualties of the 4-3 aggregate. The coaching staff believes he could have done more in several conceded goals.
He won't continue at Camp Nou
Ter Stegen has regained the starting position, and the decision is made. Szczęsny won't continue. His contract ends this summer, and the club has already communicated that it won't be renewed.
The idea is to sign a young, economical profile that doesn't pose a threat to the German. Someone who accepts the role of a substitute without creating internal tensions.
Sources close to the locker room assure that Ter Stegen didn't view the competition favorably. He believes he needs stability, and the board has replied accordingly.
End of an era for two key pieces
Araujo and Szczęsny are on the way out. Barça wants to take a step forward and send a clear message: the bar has been raised. Whoever isn't up to it won't continue.
In the case of the Uruguayan center-back, everything points to Bayern. The Germans have already contacted the player's entourage and are willing to pay the clause. The agreement could be closed in a matter of weeks.
Szczęsny, meanwhile, might hang up his gloves. He already considered retirement last summer. After this stint at Barça, that decision is gaining ground.
With the league title still in play, Laporta has activated the restructuring, Flick has requested another type of defenders. Another type of goalkeepers. The changes have already begun.
Barça wants to return to the top of Europe, and after the lesson at San Siro, it is clear that it can't continue with the same pieces. Araujo and Szczęsny are the first. They won't be the last.