Araujo or Iñigo, who should be Cubarsí's partner in Barça's defence?

Hansi Flick has not yet been able to count on all his centre-backs fit. Between one thing and another, there has always been one injured. Eric García suffered from pubalgia for a little over a month between October and November. Araujo recovered in December and Christensen returned in January. With these three recovered, Iñigo Martínez has fallen out of favour. Similarly, the Dane has had muscle problems again. That is why the German coach has not yet faced a real dilemma regarding the starting pair of defenders. However, sooner or later, he will have to make his bet on two of them.

Currently, that area is populated by five names: Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Araujo, Christensen and Eric García. There is also Sergi Domínguez, who has been in the first team dynamic since pre-season. The first of those mentioned is a permanent starter, as he has been one whenever he has been available. However, his work partner has been rotating. A priori, the one who starts several steps behind is the ex-Chelsea player, since he has not been able to play practically at all. Eric has a rotation role in which he covers gaps in the pivot and in the back. The crossroads are between the Basque and the Uruguayan.

Iñigo Martínez or Ronald Araujo?

The pairing that has coexisted the most this season is that of Cubarsí and Iñigo. It is true that circumstances have forced it, but it is not at all an emergency combination. Perhaps, in the German coach's plans, it was at the beginning, but it ended up being one of the best duos in Europe. Despite the recovery of the Uruguayan in mid-December, he had to wait until the match against Barbastro to make his debut again. His participation also served to distribute the minutes. However, when it seemed that the time had come to make a decision, Martínez was injured. Thus, in this context, Ronald Araujo is being Pau's new partner.

Now, the former Athletic player's recovery is close. Barça announced his medical report on January 14, so he should be back, approximately, on February 10. As it is an injury to the femoral, a key muscle in the development of the activity of an elite footballer, his return will be gradual, to avoid bad sensations. It could be estimated that, if there are no inconveniences, he will be 100% at the end of the second month of the year. It will also coincide with the start of the most transcendental phase of the season.

When the time comes, Hansi Flick will have to make a decision. With both candidates in top form, their differences are more than notable. Araujo is a taller and more powerful footballer, but with the ball he is far from the level of Iñigo. Martínez is an experienced defender, forceful and intelligent with and without the ball. The Uruguayan is what could be called a modern defender, much superior physically and with a lot of grit. Having just renewed his contract until 2031, he is motivated to take over as a starter. However, the man who until now was Cubarsí's partner has not given any reason to be replaced, and he also contributes much more in creating plays. The Blaugrana coach will have a blessed dilemma.