Barcelona continues their winning streak, once again displaying defensive strength in a narrow 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano.
However, this match made one thing clear to Hansi Flick: he has found his ideal center-back partnership, with Inigo Martinez emerging as a key figure.
The Basque defender was a rock at the back, exuding confidence, leadership, and excellent anticipation, which fully convinced the German coach.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Inigo’s impressive performances, combined with the outstanding displays of Pau Cubarsi, have led Flick to make a major decision—Ronald Araujo has lost his place in the starting lineup.
Initially, many expected Inigo Martinez to be a backup option when he joined Barcelona. However, he has now become an essential part of the team. His experience and composure in defense have proven invaluable, especially as Cubarsi continues his rapid development.
Against Rayo Vallecano, Inigo once again justified Flick’s trust. He dominated aerial battles, distributed the ball with precision, and positioned himself perfectly, delivering a top-tier defensive display.
Meanwhile, Cubarsi, despite his young age, showed incredible maturity, earning both his teammates’ respect and Flick’s full confidence. Their partnership was seamless, and based on their performances, they are now the preferred center-back duo.
This shift in hierarchy has left Ronald Araujo in a difficult situation. Once regarded as one of the world’s best defenders, the Uruguayan has gone from being a guaranteed starter to struggling for a place in Flick’s plans.
Against Rayo Vallecano, he was once again left out of the lineup, as Flick prioritized the Inigo-Cubarsi pairing—a decision that appears set to continue. The German manager favors Inigo’s intelligence on the ball and Cubarsi’s tactical awareness, attributes that Araujo, known for his aggressive and physical approach, does not provide to the same extent.
Araujo’s drop from the starting XI is not a coincidence. In recent matches, his errors have been costly for Barcelona. His red card against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League marked a turning point, and his form has dipped since then.
As a result, speculation about Araujo’s departure in the summer is growing. Clubs from the Premier League, including Manchester United and Chelsea, have expressed interest in signing him. Given Barcelona’s financial struggles, they may consider selling him if an attractive offer arrives.
The match against Rayo Vallecano reinforced that Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi are Flick’s go-to center-back pairing. Araujo now faces a battle to reclaim his spot, but for the moment, his starting role at Barcelona is slipping away.
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