Hansi Flick should really start €25 million-rated Barcelona player against Atletico Madrid — Opinion | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have an important game against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Metropolitano stadium. The club needs to ensure they put in a solid performance away from home so that they can hopefully take an advantage back with them.

Flick has a huge decision to make regarding the line-up for this game. He needs to get it right to ensure they not only have an attacking edge against Diego Simeone’s team but are also defensively sound.

The likes of Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone will not be easy to face and, with a creator like Baena behind them, Barcelona need to remain alert defensively. With this in mind, we at Sempre Barca believe that Hansi Flick should really start Ronald Araujo.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

The 26-year-old Uruguayan centre-back has been in the news this week, having spoken candidly about the mental health issues he was going through and how he now feels in a much better place than he did over the past 18 months.

Since his return from his sabbatical, Flick has started Araujo in just one game, where he looked the part and showed shades of his former self. Apart from that, the German manager has been very careful in managing his minutes.

However, despite the occasion and this being one of the biggest games of the season, Flick should be courageous enough to start Araujo against Atletico. Against the pace of Lookman and company, his recovery defending could prove crucial.

What Araujo brings to the table is a unique skillset that none of the other defenders in the team possess. Although Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia have performed very well as a pairing in recent weeks, Flick could move the latter to right-back.

This would open up a spot for the €25 million-rated South American. It would be a massive gamble, given what Araujo’s biggest issue has been, but if the player feels up to the challenge, Barcelona should consider it.

A strong performance could further boost Araujo’s confidence and almost feel like a new defensive signing for Hansi Flick. Fans need to be patient with the player and give him the time he needs to rediscover his best level. Let us wait and see how things play out.