Barcelona have found centre-back duo that will define new era

After a mixed start to the campaign, Barcelona, albeit a bit late, have found their groove and have performed extremely well in recent weeks.

The Catalans have secured qualification to the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League while their exceptional form in the league have helped them maintain the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of the table.

A key driver behind Barcelona’s success has been the defensive solidity, with Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi, in particular, emerging as the standout performers.

Barcelona’s dream defensive duo

Cubarsi and Araujo first joined hands on January 21, at the Benito Villamarin against Real Betis. Since then, the two defenders have shared the pitch eight times.

The Catalans have remained undefeated during this period, securing seven victories while drawing the other match.

Also during this time, only two players have been able to score goals against Barça in Napoli’s Amir Rrahmani and Alaves’ Samu Omorodion.

Performances of Araujo and Cubarsi have played a key role, with the latter, in particular, bagging multiple Man of the Match titles.

Will Araujo-Cubarsi define Barça’s new era?

For the first time in a while, Barcelona have found two young centre-backs without relying on the market.

Given their respective ages, both Araujo and Cubarsi are in a position to potentially lead the Barcelona defence in the years to come.

In fact, Araujo and Cubarsi’s emergence as Barcelona’s defensive stalwarts represents more than just a stroke of luck or a temporary boon. It’s a testament to the club’s commitment to nurturing talent from within and building for the future.

These two players didn’t arrive at the Camp Nou with hefty price tags or superstar status. Instead, they were groomed within the club’s academy system, honing their skills and understanding of the Barcelona philosophy from a young age.

That is why Araujo and Cubarsi may define the club’s new era – one which builds upon the proud tradition of homegrown talent.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has already confirmed that the club are ready to extend the contract of Araujo, whereas the Catalans have long-term plans for Cubarsi as well.

Sealing these contracts could go a long way in helping Barcelona further solidify the defensive core in the years to come.