Ronald Araujo doesn't have the best of memories of coming up against Bradley Barcola, with the pair potentially set to become teammates this summer at Liverpool
Ronald Araujo doesn't have great memories of coming up against Bradley Barcola
Ronald Araujo doesn't have great memories of coming up against Bradley Barcola(Image: Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo and Bradley Barcola could end up as teammates next season, which the former might well be pleased about, given he doesn’t have the best of memories coming up against the winger.
Out of the two, Liverpool is all but guaranteed to land Araujo, with the defender set for a medical on Merseyside on Sunday as he completes his loan move from Barcelona.
Barcola still requires a lot more work before fans can think about him joining the Reds, despite what some reports have claimed this week. If he does complete a move to Anfield though, it could make for a slightly awkward reunion with Araujo.
The pair have never played together, but they have faced each other on the biggest stage, and it’s definitely fair to say Barcola came out on top when they met in the Champions League quarterfinals in 2024.
Araujo’s Barcelona was actually in the driving seat heading into the second leg of the tie at the Camp Nou, having won 3-2 in Paris the week before, and when Raphinha scored after just 12 minutes, it looked as though the Catalan side was heading into the semi-finals.
The tie was turned on its head though just before the half-hour mark when Araujo played a misplaced pass after being pressed by Barcola before fouling the winger, resulting in his sending-off.
Ronald Araujo's sending-off sparked Barcelona's collapse against PSG in 2024
Ronald Araujo's sending-off sparked Barcelona's collapse against PSG in 2024(Image: Getty Images)
That sparked a remarkable comeback from PSG and a stunning collapse from Barca, with the French side running out 4-1 winners to book their place in the semifinals.
Araujo’s sending-off was no coincidence either. PSG boss Luis Enrique had instructed his players to target the Uruguayan before the game, having identified him as something of a weak link in Barcelona’s side.
During a staff meeting, which was later shown in a documentary about Enrique, he said: "Let Araujo come with the ball. When he comes with the ball, when he releases it, we pressure him."
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Then, when it came to addressing his squad ahead of the game, Enrique explained: "Let this gentleman (a magnet on a board) be Araujo, who is a high-level player, no doubt about it. But he is the player with the most problems.
"Every time the ball gets to Araujo — whether it's a support, a pass and so on — when the ball comes in motion, cover the passing line and go."
Enrique’s comments won’t do much to settle the nerves of Liverpool fans, some of whom don’t seem all that convinced about Araujo’s loan signing. There is at least the prospect that he won’t have to come up against Barcola again next season should the 23-year-old join him at Anfield.
And when Barcelona came up against PSG again in last season’s league phase, the Catalans’ boss Hansi Flick expressed his faith in Araujo, saying: "What happened in the past is no longer valid; now is different. I have full confidence in all my players. He's incredible and has proven it in recent games. I'm very happy with him."