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It’s been a tough few days for Ronald Araujo. The Barcelona defender faced heavy criticism after his costly mistake against Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinal.
While fans were quick to point fingers, manager Hansi Flick chose a different path — defense, not just on the field, but off it too.
Speaking ahead of the Catalan derby against Espanyol, Flick backed his center-back publicly.
The German coach didn’t hide from the fact that errors were made in Milan, but made it clear he wasn’t going to single anyone out.
"We have spoken to Ronald Araújo. We all made mistakes in Milan… We all fail at some point, no matter the profession," Flick said.
The Uruguayan defender, once seen as a lock in the starting XI, has slipped down the pecking order.
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After recovering from a long injury layoff, Araujo hasn’t quite found his form. With Iñigo Martínez suspended and Barcelona inching closer to the La Liga title, many expected Araujo to start.
But Flick now seems to prefer other options like Andreas Christensen or Eric García.
Once seen as a rock at the back, Araujo was left on the bench in the so called "La Liga decider" El Clasico.
Fans haven’t forgotten the Champions League exit, and social media hasn’t been kind. Still, Flick remains firm on his message.
"We've all been through such situations, it’s key how to handle them. That’s why I want to protect Araújo, he’s not the only one who made a mistake."
Despite questions about Araujo’s future — his release clause, summer exit rumors, and potential replacements — Flick isn’t fueling the fire. For now, he’s keeping the focus on respect and unity.
As Barcelona prepare to wrap up a domestic treble, the spotlight may move away from Milan’s heartbreak.
But for Araujo, redemption will take more than words. Or as fans might say — it’s time for the defender to clear his own lines.
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Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.
Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.
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