Ronald Araújo and Marc Bernal: Barcelona’s Untapped Potential | OneFootball

With a spot in the round of 16 of the Champions League secured after a 4-1 win over F.C. København, it would seem that Barcelona have found their footing in Europe. Arsenal and Bayern Munich appear to be in a class above the rest, but there are a number of flawed teams hot on their tails who could be hoisting the Champions League trophy if they can solve some of their issues. For Hansi Flick, those solutions are likely already on his bench in Ronald Araújo and Marc Bernal. Their profiles are exactly what Flick’s Barcelona needs, but their limitations are still getting in the way of that untapped potential.

Ronald Araújo: A Man Amongst Boys

Ronald Araújo is one of the world’s elite defenders. He is athletic, aggressive, and the imposing centre-back Barcelona could use along their high line. The 26-year-old has made close to 200 appearances for the Blaugrana, but this season he has played less than 1000 minutes and has gone through a very public battle with his mental health and confidence. Yet, whatever occurred on his personal journey between the red card against Chelsea (picture below) and returning to hoist the Spanish Super Cup trophy is a hopeful reflection on where the player is now.

At this point in his career, it’s unlikely that Araújo will radically improve his ball-playing abilities. His struggles being pressed under Xavi did lead to a myriad of opponent chances, and those chances would likely compound in Flick’s even riskier system.

At the start of the season, Araújo had the starting spot and it was Koundé, who has also struggled with opponent’s high press this season, København’s opening goal the most recent example, relegated to the bench with Eric García in at right-back. Since then, Eric García has been needed in other spots on the pitch, but the recent signing of João Cancelo could be the variable that allows Flick to return Araújo to the starting XI. The argument that Cubarsí loses some of his effectiveness at LCB is fair, but the pros of having Araújo’s physical skillset against opponent counter-attacks should outweigh the cons of losing some of Cubarsí’s passing range.

A Specialty Player

The real issue is that Araújo’s profile isn’t as needed against the mid and low blocks that Barcelona so often face in La Liga. The likes of Gerard Martin and Eric García are equipped to help create enough chances for Barcelona to outscore opponents, especially if Joan García is behind them raising the team’s defensive ceiling.

Araújo’s profile is most needed against the best teams, when individual talent often decides games and wins trophies. If Flick can find a way to help Araújo put the ghosts of PSG and Chelsea behind him, his profile would be invaluable in the biggest European matches of the season.

Marc Bernal: The Shield Flick Needs

Araújo represents the individual ceiling-raising that a player has, but Marc Bernal (pictured above, against København) represents how one player can raise the ceiling of a whole system.

The 18-year-old is still recovering from an ACL injury and the harbingers of injury relapses in Gavi and Ansu Fati should have taught Culers to be patient with his journey back. That said, it’s hard to blame anybody for being excited about how a fully fit Bernal solves some of Barcelona’s issues.

In the first half against København, Flick played a 4-3-3, with centre-back Eric García playing as the pivot and attacking midfielders Dani Olmo and Fermín López serving as the midfield interiors. Playing all three out of their natural roles didn’t suit any of the trio, and Barcelona’s shape suffered for it. All three are in fine form at the moment, but without Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, the midfield was desperately missing something.

That something proved to be Marc Bernal. He came in for Eric García to start the second half and immediately allowed Olmo the cover he needed to better express himself. Bernal’s positioning in rest defense allowed Barça to pin København back in their own half. His willingness to unselfishly due his job of circulating possession to increase tempo was useful against the Danish low block.

Lethal Combo of Skill and Size

Like Araújo, Bernal’s potential also lies in his physical attributes. While he was raised with all the lessons of a La Masia education, no coach taught him how to be 6’4″, or 1.93 meters. His stride allows him to close down space quicker than the likes of Marc Casadó or García. His size discourages opponents from attempting to win aerial duels.

The next few weeks will be critical for Marc Bernal with Pedri. He has gone on record saying that he will not be leaving on loan in the January transfer window. This means he should have more opportunities to show the ways he could help Flick solve some of the defensive issues that his system creates.

For more on how Marc Bernal fixed Barcelona’s midfield against København, check out the latest recap from The Barcelona Podcast: