Barcelona’s coaching staff, as per a report from Mundo Deportivo, has highlighted a significant concern in the team’s defensive setup.
The staff believes that the team currently lacks a physically dominant defender who can add aggression and power to their backline and this is precisely why the return of Ronald Araujo is seen as a crucial boost for the squad.
Barcelona’s recent form has raised eyebrows, with the team managing only five points out of a possible 15 in their last league fixtures.
While this dip in performance has prompted analysis from both the coaching staff and the sporting department, there is no sense of panic just yet.
The understanding is that Hansi Flick’s project is still in its early stages, and fluctuations in performance are a natural part of the rebuilding process.
The staff is working
That said, weaknesses in key areas have been identified. According to the analysis conducted by the coaches, the team is currently lacking a bit of intensity in decisive moments of games.
This deficiency has been felt in situations involving high-pressure plays, battles for loose balls, and maintaining overall competitiveness.
At their peak, Barcelona were a relentless side, excelling in winning possession, forcing errors, and catching opponents offside. However, that level of dominance seems missing at the moment.
What’s the diagnosis?
Ronald Araujo is close to returning to full fitness. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
In the defensive unit, players like Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde are talented but not naturally aggressive.
Inigo Martinez, on the other hand, brings intensity and toughness, but he often finds himself as the lone enforcer in the backline.
This lack of defensive physicality has been particularly exposed in games against opponents like Betis and Araujo’s return is expected to partially address this issue.
Araujo will travel to Germany
The Uruguayan defender is nearing full fitness and is likely to travel with the team for their upcoming Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund.
Although it might be too soon for him to feature prominently in that match, he is anticipated to play a significant role in the following fixture against Leganes.
For the Dortmund game, the coaching staff is banking on the team’s motivation to compensate for their shortcomings, as they believe every player will give their all in this high-stakes encounter.
Araujo’s return will undoubtedly provide the much-needed balance and strength to Barcelona’s defence moving forward.