Ronald Araujo talks Barcelona captaincy, Hansi Flick, PSG red card – ‘It haunted me’

The month of January was an eventful one for Ronald Araujo. After he made his return to the pitch after missing the first half of the season, the Uruguayan international was heavily linked with an exit from Barcelona.

A move to Juventus appeared to be on the horizon, but the centre-back, who is also one of the club captains, decided to make a U-turn and signed a new long-term contract with Barcelona until 2031.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SPORT, Araujo reflected on his journey at Barça, from arriving as a teenager from Boston River to becoming the club captain.

“In 2017 I was living in my village. Even if I was told that eight years later I would be wearing the captain’s armband for Barça, I didn’t believe it, of course,” kicked off the Uruguayan international.

On the big games and PSG error

The Barça skipper also touched upon his playing style and whether it makes him the ideal player to perform in high-stakes matches, such as finals and decisive encounters against top opponents.

“I have to be physically fit for that. Without a doubt, I can get to the duels, to the space. In the six years I’ve been at Barça, one of my great virtues has been that, to be able to correct, to play with an advanced line,” he noted.

“Of course, you see yourself as important in these games. Even though I’m 25, I already have a certain amount of experience. You can see it in the big games, I’ve never hidden. The PSG catastrophe happened, but I like those matches. Let’s see how I feel.”

Araujo did not shy away from discussing his red card against PSG in the Champions League quarter-final last season, which changed the course of the match and led to Barcelona’s elimination.

“At first it haunted me, especially during the rest of the season. But as time went on, I forgot about it, it’s in the past. A clean slate. There is a new story to write,” noted Araujo.

Continuing, he added: “The best players are mentally strong and know how to overcome these situations. I consider myself one of those. I won’t deny that after that in La Liga I wasn’t at the level I usually am, but let’s keep going.

“There’s still a lot of career left, to build, to give for this club.”

On Hansi Flick and tactics

Araujo also admitted that Hansi Flick’s defensive system at Barcelona this season is unlike anything he has experienced before.

“No doubt about it! I’ve never played like this before, and I don’t think almost anyone here has. I watch a lot of football and the only one that does something similar is Liverpool, but not as risky as us,” stated Araujo.

“It’s all about details, it’s all about split-seconds, you have to do it well and of course, it’s the first time we’ve worked in that way. That philosophy has given us results.”

The Uruguayan defender also detailed the intensive training required to master Flick’s tactics, saying:

“We train for it every day. It also takes a little bit of time. A full pre-season gives us the chance to learn it. Maybe in the first games we didn’t do it the way we do it now.

“With time, you’ll get the ‘feeling’… that’s what I also believe with me. Over time, you’ll get the feel for it. If it gives results, you have to keep betting on that.”

Like several of his teammates, Araujo believes Barcelona must manage the final moments of matches more wisely, referring to the 4-4 Copa del Rey draw against Atletico Madrid.

“We are always the protagonists because we are Barça and I don’t think we have to drop off at the back, but maybe in the last few minutes, we should not take so many risks. And even more so with a result in our favour,” said Araujo.

“It’s a shame what happened but we have to continue in this vein. Now we have important games coming up and we have to pay attention to those details.”