Despite successive victories and impressive results, a sensitive issue is occupying the minds of Barcelona’s backroom staff, raising concerns among the coaching team led by Hansi Flick.
The positive results do not necessarily mean everything is going according to plan, especially at the back, where recurring defensive gaps have led to inconsistent performances that fall short of the expectations of both the management and the fans.
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However, the surprise has not been in the team’s overall performance, but in one specific name that has increasingly come under internal scrutiny within the club.
In matches that should have been comfortably secured, defensive lapses nearly proved costly. Questions have been raised regarding the identity of the defender now viewed as the least consistent and least influential in the backline.
This speculation gained momentum after a statement by Juan Garcia, the Catalan team’s goalkeeper, which stirred controversy. He explicitly hinted that “his confidence in some defenders has become nonexistent,” suggesting that one player in particular has lost the trust of the dressing room.
That player is believed to be Ronald Araújo. Once considered a cornerstone of the Barcelona defense, the Uruguayan’s current form does not reflect his former status.
His struggles go beyond defensive positioning, as his limited involvement in the build-up phase and his tendency to make rash decisions under pressure have become major concerns.
According to Garcia’s internal assessment, Araújo causes more disruption in the defensive structure than he contributes, both in aerial duels and in ground distribution. In contrast, Garcia now reportedly prefers playing behind just one specific defender.
That defender is Pau Cubarsí.
The young talent has demonstrated tactical maturity, calmness under pressure, and leadership in organizing the backline, even against top-tier opposition. His performances have earned him a central role in Flick’s plans, including for major European clashes.
Yet, Cubarsí cannot fix the backline issues alone. The team still needs a defensive partner who can match his tactical awareness and composure. In this regard, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia are emerging as more stable options than Araújo.
Sources close to the dressing room confirm that Flick has initiated a full evaluation of his defensive unit, and an unexpected tactical decision may soon follow: the potential exclusion of Araújo from the starting lineup in several key fixtures.
It’s a tough decision, but Flick knows that trust in a backline isn’t earned through experience alone. It must be built on consistent performances and the ability to maintain balance within the team.
