The return of Ronald Araújo to the starting eleven has sparked an indoors and outdoors debate at the blaugrana club. After Íñigo Martínez's one-month injury, the Uruguayan has regained his starting position alongside Pau Cubarsí, who seems untouchable in Hansi Flick's scheme.
The Blaugrana Defense in a Dilemma
Months and months of uncertainty surrounding the future of Ronald Araújo made it almost impossible to see the Uruguayan as a key piece in the blaugrana's future this season. However, after his renewal and the clearing of all doubts, it seems that now, Flick is beginning to trust the player more than ever. Additionally, strong performances against Real Madrid and Betis endorse him as a piece that could provide an extra boost to the team in this crucial and final stretch of the season.
However, there is a clear dilemma for the German coach. The problem is none other than the great level that Íñigo Martínez was also showing alongside Cubarsí in defense. Before Íñigo's unfortunate injury, the blaugrana defensive pair wreaked havoc on all the forwards of rival teams. This was key for Flick with the mutual understanding of the two players on the offside line: They rarely failed to force an offside.
Another fortunate problem for the German coach, who is now heading into the final stretch of the season with many open fronts and all possible competitions at stake. A final stretch of the season that presents itself as one of the most contested and interesting in recent years. Barça finds itself in a very favorable position both in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, but in La Liga the situation is starting to leave little room for error.
Íñigo or Araújo is the crux of the matter for the blaugrana coach, who will have to decide between the two players to form a starting defense alongside Pau Cubarsí.
Íñigo and Araújo: Almost Parallel Performances
Considering both performances, it seems that for the moment Íñigo would be ahead, mainly due to his great performance in the early months of competition. The 34-year-old player has shown traits of an indisputable defender in a Barça that needed a player of these characteristics. A very solid defender with an almost flawless ball-playing ability, also solid in defensive phases.
For Flick, this ball-playing ability is very important, but the German coach also likes—very much—Ronald Araújo, with more defensive and solid characteristics than Íñigo. Undoubtedly a dilemma that Hansi Flick will have to solve to face the most important stretch of the season.