Barcelona captain will face a tough challenge to regain his spot in the team after returning from injury

A recent update from SPORT has revealed that Ronald Araujo may face a tough challenge in regaining his spot in Barcelona’s starting XI upon his return from injury. 

This is because the central defensive duo of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez has performed impressively, making it hard for Araujo to immediately break back into the team.

Araujo is expected to return to action in December, although his recovery could be completed earlier by a few weeks. Despite being a regular starter whenever fit, Araujo’s return to the first team will not be guaranteed. 

Flick seems to trust the current pair

This is largely due to Hansi Flick’s reliance on the current centre-back partnership, which has delivered solid performances. 

Inigo Martinez has cemented his spot. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Flick has been hesitant to disrupt the partnership of Cubarsi and Martinez, as they have formed a dependable defensive unit.

So far, Flick has only rotated Cubarsi and Martinez on two occasions. Cubarsi was rested during the match against Villarreal, while Martinez sat out the game against Osasuna. 

Numbers to show

A closer look at the defensive statistics of different pairings reveals why Araujo might struggle to regain his place. 

The partnership of Cubarsi and Martinez has played 21 games together, conceding 17 goals and earning an average of 2.62 points per match. 

Comparatively, the pairing of Araujo with Martinez has managed 14 games, conceded 13 goals, and averaged 2.36 points per game. 

Cubarsi and Araujo have not been successful as a centre-back pair. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, the least effective pairing has been Araujo alongside Cubarsi. In 12 games, they have conceded 29 goals, with an average of only 1.87 points per match.

Martinez and Cubarsi are delivering

The last time Araujo and Cubarsi started together was in Barcelona’s disappointing 4-2 defeat to Girona last season. In contrast, Martinez and Cubarsi appear to have developed an excellent understanding on the pitch. 

Despite their different playing styles, they complement each other well. Martinez acts as the defensive leader, while Cubarsi plays a crucial role in building attacks from the back.

Given the success of this current defensive duo, it is clear that Araujo will face strong competition when he returns.