Following Barcelona’s recent elimination from the Champions League, the club now has no choice but to shift its focus to a highly anticipated La Liga showdown against Real Madrid on Sunday.
This match carries significant weight in determining the outcome of the league title race. A win for Barcelona would leave them just two points away from claiming the championship, with only three fixtures remaining.
Even if the match ends in a draw, the Catalan giants would still be in a solid position, needing just five points from a possible nine to secure the title. A defeat, however, would dramatically intensify the competition and keep the title race alive.
Amid preparations for this critical fixture, tensions within the Barcelona squad have surfaced, particularly concerning defender Ronald Araujo. According to reports from the Spanish media outlet El Nacional, Araujo has been under immense pressure since the club’s Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.
The Uruguayan centre-back has become a target for harsh criticism and ridicule, especially on social media, where fans have insulted, mocked, and even threatened him.
Much of the backlash stems from his performance during the match against Inter, with supporters blaming him for being at fault in the build-up to the Italian side’s equalizer and decisive goal. Further controversy arose when Araujo, speaking to the media post-match, appeared to deflect responsibility for one of the goals and instead criticized his teammates for not defending properly on another.
The situation has been compounded by viral videos that showed Araujo warming up before the game, with some fans cruelly comparing his movements to those of an elderly person suffering from arthritis. This criticism persisted despite the fact that Araujo was cleared to play following a suspension to fellow defender Iñigo.
Although the public scrutiny has slightly subsided, doubts remain within the Barcelona camp regarding Araujo’s mental readiness for such a high-stakes encounter.
It is believed that several of his teammates are concerned about his psychological state and have reportedly advised manager Hansi Flick against selecting him for the starting lineup in El Clásico, fearing that his presence could negatively affect team morale and performance.
Despite this, Flick is considering allowing Araujo some time on the pitch, believing that it might help the defender rebuild his confidence and gradually move past this difficult period.
Leave a Reply