Míchel Confesses: “Araújo Broke My Heart” After a Fierce Catalan Derby
Barcelona, October 19, 2025 — The aftermath of the Catalan derby has taken a dramatic turn after Girona FC’s manager, Míchel Sánchez, openly admitted that one Barcelona player “broke his heart” in their intense 2-1 defeat to the Catalan giants. His revelation, naming Ronald Araújo as the player who stunned him, quickly went viral, sparking endless discussions among football fans and pundits across Spain.
The derby at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys lived up to its billing — a match filled with grit, tension, and last-minute heroics.
Girona fought valiantly, determined to prove their growing stature in LaLiga, but it was Barcelona who had the final say.
In the dying seconds of the match, Araújo rose above the defense and delivered a thunderous header in stoppage time, securing all three points for Hansi Flick’s men and leaving Girona devastated.
After the final whistle, Míchel’s emotions were palpable. “My boys gave their all to win,” he said during the post-match press conference. “But this Barcelona player broke my heart yesterday.
It’s the first time I’ve seen someone so dangerous and aggressive.” When asked who he meant, the Girona coach didn’t hesitate: “Ronald Araújo.”
The Uruguayan defender, known for his relentless energy and warrior-like mentality, epitomized Barcelona’s resilience throughout the 90 minutes.
While Pedri opened the scoring early in the first half, it was Araújo who ultimately defined the night — not just with his winning goal, but with his dominant defensive display. “He’s a monster — aggressive in defense, lethal in the air,” Míchel remarked. “He really impressed me. He broke us.”
The match itself was a showcase of contrasting styles: Barcelona’s technical control versus Girona’s tactical discipline.
Despite missing several key players — including Lewandowski, Raphinha, Gavi, and Ter Stegen — Barça maintained composure, creating multiple chances.
Girona managed to strike back through Bryan Gil’s equalizer in the 35th minute, while goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga kept them alive with spectacular saves. Yet, in the final moments, Araújo’s determination proved unstoppable.
Since joining Barcelona from Ajax in 2020, Araújo has evolved into a defensive leader, embodying both raw strength and refined composure.
With three goals and an assist this season, he has become the backbone of Flick’s side. The victory marked Barcelona’s seventh straight league win, keeping them close behind Real Madrid in the title race.
In front of 50,000 roaring fans, Araújo didn’t just secure a victory — he earned the admiration of rivals.
Míchel’s heartfelt confession summed up the night perfectly: a mix of pain, respect, and recognition for a player who embodies Barcelona’s fighting spirit.
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