Published: September 23, 2021 10:56 pm
Last Updated: September 23, 2021 10:59 pm
Barcelona’s supporters have taken to social media in numbers this evening, to sing the praises of defender Ronald Araujo.
All square
Ronald Koeman’s men returned to action a short time ago.
The Blaugrana, fresh off the back of an altogether hit-and-miss opening to the new campaign, made the trip to minnows Cadiz, desperate for a much-needed 3-point haul.
When all was said and done at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, though, again, Barca came up short.
An altogether underwhelming display, during which the Catalan giants were restricted to a handful of half chances by their stubborn hosts, ultimately saw both sides forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
Adding further to Barcelona’s woes, meanwhile, is the fact that star midfielder Frenkie de Jong was sent for an early bath, after picking up a pair of yellow cards in altogether questionable circumstances.
Frenkie de Jong sees (Important to note that he did touch the ball first)
Is this a harsh call on de Jong?
Ronald Koeman’s reaction says it all pic.twitter.com/hoo0iEKB2v
— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) September 23, 2021
The Dutchman, so long a key performer at the heart of the Blaugrana’s midfield, will now be suspended for the club’s meeting with Levante this weekend.
De Jong joins fellow midfield standout Pedri on the absentee list for Sunday, with the Spanish starlet sidelined at present with a muscle injury.
Araujo the standout
Despite the ultimately disappointing eventual outcome at the Nuevo Mirandilla, though, there were nevertheless a couple of positives to take away from proceedings from a Barca perspective on Thursday evening.
And the most undisputed, without question, came in the form of the latest display on the part of Ronald Araujo.
Uruguayan stopper Araujo proved the hero last time out, when Koeman and co. were forced to come from a goal down to snatch a point at home to Granada.
And, versus Cadiz, once again, the 22-year-old stood head and shoulders above the rest of the Blaugrana’s stars, looking composed on the ball, near unbeatable at the back, and the sole driving force amid an otherwise concerning night’s work.
In turn, the club’s supporters have since flooded to social media, to heap praise on their up-and-coming defensive stalwart:
Araujo is such a beast man
— Roni (@RV_Gfx) September 23, 2021
It’s physically impossible to past Araujo
— MX (@AlwaysCuler) September 23, 2021
I wish every player in the squad shared Araujo’s passion. You can see it in his eyes man, such an admirable player.
— J. (@MessiIizer) September 23, 2021
We would be in a very very scary place if we didn’t have Araujo
— Josh (@joshfromky) September 23, 2021
Araujo is just too good.
— (@Frankyspath) September 23, 2021
Will Araujo win the Ballon d’or? https://t.co/P7KsQUMl4C
— TA4 (@TeamAraujo4ii) September 23, 2021
Araujo is our best player. If only we could have several Araujo’s, Frenkie De Jong’s, and Depay’s.#CadizBarça
— Carlos (@GiantsNYY311) September 23, 2021
Ronald Araujo is the best Ronald in history to play for Barca
— D (@BIGDDrl) September 23, 2021
Araujo is too good ffs…
— Futbolista (@Futbolista2121) September 23, 2021
Araujo is the only thing Koeman is hanging on
— #XaviToTheDugout (@Wictoriono) September 23, 2021
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