Intercity’s Aaron Pinan appeared assured to attain. He had accomplished all the pieces proper in most respects.

The striker removed two defenders, rounded Barcelona’s goalkeeper and created a manageable angle to place the ball within the internet.

As he nudged the ball in direction of the aim, nevertheless, he was met by the slipping Ronald Araujo and deflected Pinan’s effort away from the nook.

It was the second of Araujo’s biggest contributions to the sport. Barcelona beat Intercity in the last 32 rounds of the King’s Cup. Wednesday evening

Enjoying for the primary time in simply over three months, the centre-back was the standout participant for his facet.

Along with blocking a sure aim by clearing Pinan’s shot from the road, he scored with a rising head in 4 minutes and dominated the air protection earlier than being changed an hour later.

His efficiency confirmed how important his presence was for Barca’s again line, regardless of a low stage of opposition, and highlighted why he could make a distinction within the Liga title combat.

“I am so pleased to have him again. He is a fighter,” Xavi mentioned on the post-match press convention.

Araujo had been solid apart since September 26 for an adductor tear, and his absence was conspicuous throughout his keep on the sidelines.

With out the 23-year-old, Barcelona usually lacked management and proved liable to errors, particularly within the defensive centre.

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Far beyond his best, Gerard Pique was unreliable and eventually quit football in October. Eric Garcia hasn’t been in a position to keep his type and has solely performed 9 League video games to this point.

The web end result was Marcos Alonso as substitute at centre-back, and this experiment didn’t go properly. – as demonstrated by his silly punishment in opposition to Espanyol final week Barcelona lost points against their city rivals.

Certainly, as Barcelona struggled to prime the desk earlier than the 2022 World Cup break, their solely dependable defender was Jules Kounde, who has been battling his personal kicks this season.

It will be troublesome, then, to overstate the significance of Araujo’s return to health.

The Uruguayan nationwide participant has been a fixture in Barcelona for about two seasons. He was a daily participant taking part in each central defender and right-back final yr and has confirmed equally helpful in each positions.

He began 36 of 43 video games and 25 of 30 La Liga video games – solely sometimes coming from the bench whereas recovering from harm.

In actuality, he was one of many few gamers to thrive beneath Xavi, and regardless of his youth he has steadily grown into a great all-round defender.

His stats from final yr are actually spectacular. Araujo’s cross completion proportion is 88.5 %, putting him within the eightieth percentile amongst defenders and 99th amongst guards per fbref.

His 2.09 air duel in 90 minutes is steady on the centre-back, however within the 97th percentile for the fullbacks. He is additionally a formidable one-on-one defender and has gained 88 % of his interceptions up to now this season.

However maybe it’s the particular person moments that dazzle essentially the most.

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You instantly consider Alfonso Davies’ slide combat to dam a sure aim within the Champions League final yr. And a strong header to avoid wasting some extent in opposition to Sevilla. For a Barça facet that has survived essentially the most weird occasions, such interventions had been important.

And now Araujo should show much more essential to the Catalan trigger.

Robert Lewandowski could be suspended for next three games however Xavi’s backline is again to one thing near full energy.

Andreas Christensen took benefit of the alternatives given to him, whereas Kounde returned from Qatar, sustaining good membership type with France on the worldwide stage.

However on the middle of all of it lies Araujo. The Uruguayan can be utilized in lots of positions and has the help of his supervisor.

Good at air dealing with and dependable in fight, he hits all of the bases and has a ardour for excellent photographs. He’s not like another defender on Xavi’s squad.

Barcelona is dealing with a troublesome few months. They lead La Liga by aim distinction solely and have drawn with a revived Manchester United within the Europa League.

like this fragile financial situation he’s they will likely have to reach the final of the continental competition to develop the roster this summer.

An effort that can require a number of gamers. However together with his versatility, vitality, aerial dexterity and gliding tackles, Araujo could also be crucial of all.