Barcelona Defender Ronald Araujo Admits Dislike for Playing at Right-Back
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has opened up about his reluctance to play at right-back, stating his preference for his natural position as a center back. Despite his reservations, Araujo has expressed his willingness to sacrifice himself for the team whenever required.
Right-back has been a problematic position for Barcelona, prompting manager Xavi to experiment with Araujo and Jules Kounde in the role. Although Araujo has performed admirably, particularly against players like Vinicius Junior, he remains steadfast in his belief that center back is where he can truly thrive.
In an interview with beIN Sport, Araujo stated, The truth is, I don’t like playing as a right-back, that’s the reality, but I always say, wherever the coach and the team ask me, I’m going to play and give my best. But obviously, I feel very comfortable playing as a center back because it’s my natural position and where I can give 100%.
The recent arrival of Joao Cancelo has provided Xavi with more options at right-back, although the Portugal international featured on the left in their midweek match against Porto.
Looking ahead to the crucial clash against Atletico, Araujo expressed confidence following their victory over Porto that secured their qualification for the round of 16. He believes this achievement will boost the team’s spirits and set them up for success in the upcoming match.
We trust in the team we have. The truth is that the victory against Porto, with qualification for the round of 16, gives us a boost for what is to come, even for this duel against Atlético, which is also important. We are happy to fulfill that objective, we have a lot of confidence in the team we have and that good things can come, Araujo added.
When discussing the game against Atletico, Araujo emphasized the importance of playing their own style of football while remaining vigilant against the counterattacks posed by key players like Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata. He highlighted the significance of adhering to their footballing identity, along with the advantage of playing at their home stadium.
Both Barcelona and Atletico are level on points heading into the match, with both teams eager to secure a win and avoid losing further ground to Real Madrid and Girona, who both emerged victorious on Saturday.
As the stage is set for this crucial encounter, Araujo’s admission sheds light on the challenges faced by Barcelona in filling the right-back position. With his determination to contribute to the team’s success, Araujo’s versatility and dedication to the club cannot be overlooked. The fans can only hope that his sacrifices ultimately lead to triumph on the pitch.
