Ronald Araujo: The wall that stopped Atlético and kept the culé hope alive

FC Barcelona has shown on several occasions in 2025 that it also knows how to manage tight results and suffer, in the good sense of the word, when it comes to protecting a clean sheet. Against Atlético (0-1), the team led by Hansi Flick managed a minimal lead obtained in the first half with character and confidence, thanks to Ferran Torres' goal. The 'colchoneros' dominated in the second half, but ended the match without a shot on target.

To neutralize the 'rojiblanco' attack in the final stretch of the match, Ronald Araujo's work was key. Flick opted from the start for Pau Cubarsí, but the 18-year-old center-back, who was coming off a right ankle injury, did not have enough gas in the tank to endure 90 minutes of high intensity at the Metropolitano. Well, in the 58', it was the turn of the 'charrúa' and the captain responded in the best way.

Ronald Araujo, key to maintaining the clean sheet against Atlético

The Uruguayan looked very solid alongside Iñigo Martínez, lending a hand to the Basque when Atleti managed to take control of the match. In 32 minutes, Araujo only completed 3 of 5 passes (60%), but he completed a total of 10 defensive actions, with 7 clearances (6 with his head) and winning 3 of 7 individual duels. The locals tried to hurt the azulgrana defense by aiming for crosses to the heart of the area, but the one from Rivera was always well positioned to prevent greater harm.

Already in stoppage time, there was a key intervention from Ronald. Lenglet anticipated Gerard Martín by flicking a long ball inside the area that Giménez almost took advantage of to go one-on-one against Szczesny, were it not for the clearance from '4' with his right leg, sending the ball to the corner. Between the Uruguayan and Jules Koundé, they held up a azulgrana defense that showed signs of fatigue in the final stretch, but managed to keep the clean sheet for the tenth time in 2025.

Now, Barça sets its sights on the first major final of the season, where a Real Madrid awaits them against whom the culés already won the Supercopa de España in January (2-5). That day, Araujo was also key in covering for the injured Iñigo in the first half. The '4' has known how to wait for his moment and is now at a hundred percent physically to help when the team needs him. Without a doubt, it is a luxury for the culés to recover a defender of his caliber.