The return of the charrúa
Ronald Araujo, a re-debut against Atlético de Madrid?
The Uruguayan defender did not play a single minute against Leganés, which was the match scheduled for his return, but he could play against the Colchoneros in the last match of the year.
Ronald Araujo's return to the pitch in an official match has been postponed longer than expected. He travelled to Dortmund with the rest of his teammates, although he was not expected to be in the shirt and that did not happen. Hansi Flick declared that, from the first moment, the objective for his return was the match against Leganés. There was even talk of a possible starting position, which did not happen, and, due to the circumstances of the match, he ended up not playing a single minute, although he did warm up.
Bearing in mind that the German coach did not close the door on the possibility of the Uruguayan being in the starting line-up in the previous match, it is likely that he will not do so for the match against Atlético de Madrid either. However, it seems like a complicated situation, as it is a match in which Barça is playing for the top spot in LaLiga. Starting the Uruguayan, after five months of injury, seems a utopia, although it should not be ruled out.
Unless there is a surprise or a last-minute problem, the starting defence will be the same as in recent months, Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez. In addition, the youth player only played 16 minutes in the defeat against 'Lega', as he started the match sitting on the bench so he could rest. Logically, he would not have played, but Marcus Sorg decided to bet on him, perhaps because of his vision of the game and his ability to filter passes, taking into account the low block that the rival team had established. Despite having finished training on the field, the time he spent on the field is noticeably less than usual, so he will be in top form to play against the 'colchoneros'.
Regarding his partner in defence, Iñigo Martínez, he is also expected to be a starter. He has completed thirteen consecutive games at the highest level, which means a very large workload of minutes. However, everything points to him making a final effort, prior to the Christmas break. From this Saturday, December 21, until January 4, against Barbastro in the Copa del Rey, the Catalans will not have any more matches. So, unless the context is favourable for his entry, everything suggests that Ronald Araujo will have to wait until January to play again. As always, everything is in the hands of Hansi Flick and he will decide whether the Uruguayan should or should not play.
