Barcelona Worried About Star After Inter Loss

Barcelona concerned over star following Inter defeat

Barcelona’s Champions League Exit and Ronald Araujo’s Performance

Barcelona’s heartbreaking elimination from the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan left fans and critics alike in shock. The blame game ensued post-match, with fingers pointing towards central defender Ronald Araujo.

Araujo, who came on as a substitute with just 12 minutes remaining, was criticized for his role in both of Inter’s crucial goals. His defensive lapses allowed Francesco Acerbi to score the equalizer and Marcus Thuram to set up the winning goal, ultimately costing Barcelona the tie.

Concerns Surrounding Ronald Araujo’s Form

According to Sport, there is growing concern over Araujo’s performances this season. While known for his defensive abilities, Araujo has been inconsistent and error-prone in recent matches, raising doubts about his reliability.

The dressing room reportedly hasn’t forgotten Araujo’s past mistakes, including a sending off in a previous Champions League game, leading to public criticism from teammates like Ilkay Gundogan. Sources suggest that Araujo’s performance decline has not gone unnoticed, with other defenders better fitting the team’s style of play, as reported by Diario AS.

Interest from Bayern Munich and Juventus

Image via HAITHAM AL-SHUKAIRI / AFP via Getty Images

Amidst speculation about his future, Araujo was on the verge of leaving in January, with Juventus making a €35m bid. Barcelona rejected the offer and instead extended Araujo’s contract until 2031, with a €65m release clause set for the upcoming transfer window. Clubs like Juventus, Bayern Munich, and even Manchester United have shown interest in the defender.

Despite the renewal, some within Barcelona consider Araujo’s contract extension as ‘artificial’, indicating a potential willingness to sell him. While interim coach Flick values Araujo’s contributions, the club remains undecided on his future, pondering their next move carefully.

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