Luis Enrique identified Barcelona’s weakest link from last season’s UCL tie – ‘He has the most problems’

The documentary series ‘You Have No Idea’ continues to captivate viewers with its insightful portrayal of Luis Enrique as the main figure. 

One of the most compelling episodes focuses on the intense UEFA Champions League tie against Barcelona from last season. 

This particular chapter shines a light on defender Ronald Araujo, offering a unique glimpse into Enrique’s thoughts and strategies shared within the team’s dressing room. 

These discussions are far more revealing than anything conveyed in press conferences, allowing fans to witness the raw emotions and tactics involved.

Araujo is Barcelona’s weakest link

Interestingly, he identified Araujo as a potential vulnerability in Barcelona’s defensive setup, viewing him as the weaker link in the team’s ball progression. 

This insight shapes the game plan, with Enrique emphasizing the need for his players to put pressure on Araujo, particularly in high-stress situations where quick decisions are crucial.

Ronald Araujo suffered a lot against PSG. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

During halftime, the coach works diligently to motivate his players, reiterating that while Araujo is undoubtedly a talented player, he struggles under pressure when it comes to distributing the ball. 

“Araujo is a top player, but he is the one who has the most problems with the ball coming out,” he said.

Enrique instructs his team to cut off passing options for Araujo, forcing him into uncomfortable positions every time he receives the ball. 

“Every time he receives the ball, we block a passing line and we are in,” he added.

This tactical approach was aimed at exploiting what Enrique perceives as Araujo’s weaknesses, putting the Uruguayan defender on the back foot and creating opportunities for his team to regain possession.

It worked out well

The impact of these strategies becomes evident during the match, as Araujo experiences difficulties when pressured. 

In the home fixture, he received a red card following a notable incident involving Bradley Barcola, who was left one-on-one with goalkeeper Marc-Andra ter Stegen. 

This moment proved pivotal in the game, affecting the outcome significantly. However, Enrique remains confident that even if the teams had played with equal numbers, his squad would have triumphed. 

Source: SPORT