Ronald Araujo returns to the starting lineup at Barça after 182 days

The FC Barcelona visited the Municipal Sports Stadium to face Barbastro in the match corresponding to the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, and did so with a significant novelty in the starting eleven.

After being out for more than five months, Ronald Araujo wore the blue and claret jersey on the pitch 182 days after his last start against Rayo Vallecano on matchday 37 of LaLiga 23/24.

The defender was injured on July 6, 2024, in the match between the Uruguayan national team and Brazil in the quarter-finals of the Copa América. The player from Rivera suffered an injury to the hamstring tendon of his right thigh that required surgery and caused him to miss the first half of the season, but he started 2025 on a high note, partnering with Iñigo Martínez in central defense against the Barbastro players.

Szczesny also made his debut as a culé

In addition to Araujo, Wojciech Szczesny also donned the blaugrana jersey for the first time this season. The Pole, who arrived in the Catalan city after the serious injury of Marc-André Ter Stegen, had been inactive since his arrival, but against Barbastro he had his first opportunity to defend the culé goal in place of Iñaki Peña, who is expected to start in the Supercopa de España.