The match between FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund tonight promises to be a highly entertaining affair as both sides will be looking to get a win in this game to go through to the next round of the competition.
In addition to these high stakes involved, this match will also be memorable for Blaugrana fans as there is a chance that they can see one of their star defenders, Ronald Araujo returning to the pitch after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
In fact, this is the first time that the Uruguayan has been named in a squad list since Hansi Flick’s appointment. Araujo’s return is definitely good news for Flick and the team at large, but one player has already been negatively affected by his recovery, i.e., the youngster Sergi Dominguez.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 12: Sergi Dominguez of FC Barcelona run with the ball during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and AS Monaco at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 12, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
The 19-year-old defender was one of the surprises of the Barcelona pre-season, as he went with the team to the USA, and got more prominence than other more known players like Mika Faye.
Similarly, he regularly trained and played with the first team even after the start of the season as he took full advantage of his opportunities to show Flick that he was ready to incorporate and implement his ideas on the pitch.
The absences of Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia’s deployment in midfield also led to greater opportunities for the youngster.
However, as SPORT has reported, his position in the team is already deteriorating, and Ronald Araujo’s inclusion in the squad for the game against Borussia Dortmund has pushed him out of this list. For now, he is once again playing for Barcelona Atletic and started for them in their last game against Celta Fortuna.
His return to the first team is also looking quite unlikely in the near future, as Andreas Christensen is also expected to return to action next month, and he will have to continue showing his talents with the B team. However, he could again get some opportunities in Copa del Rey.
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Barcelona's German coach Hansi Flick gestures during a press conference of the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona, at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on August 16, 2024.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Hansi Flick of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona at Reale Arena on November 10, 2024 in San Sebastian, Spain.
Barcelona's German coach Hansi Flick is pictured before the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on August 17, 2024.