Ronald Araujo costs Barcelona once again as Champions League hopes ended by Inter

It was mad at times, it was infuriating and it was entertaining.

Although Barca lost another Champions League semi-final, they did so by giving it their all and were only let down by a player that doesn’t really deserve the armband; Ronald Araujo.

Not considered good enough to start by Hansi Flick, the Uruguayan, who has courted other teams over the past 12-18 months, showed exactly why Inigo Martinez is generally preferred in his stead.

After the most epic of comebacks from 2-0 down – the second time in a week Barca have done so against Inter – Araujo’s tardiness in not getting goal side of Francesco Acerbi – at 37 the oldest man on the pitch – allowed the defender to equalise in injury time.

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Inter’s fourth could also patently have been avoided too. Araujo was right there but just stood statuesque rather than charging down the ball or at the very least throwing out a leg.

He just watched as the ball whizzed past Wojciech Szczesny.

Lest we forget it was the Uruguayan centre-back who got himself red-carded against Paris Saint-Germain in 2023/24, killing Barca’s chances of progression in the tournament last season.

It’s hard to fault the collective as, unlike in previous huge UCL ties where the Catalans have allowed three-goal leads to slip, they battled until they were dead on their feet.

On another night, Yann Sommer wouldn’t have saved a hatful of certain goals, Lamine Yamal wouldn’t have hit the post and Barca would’ve deserved their place in the final.

Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

As it is, after shipping another four goals, meaning they’ve let in 24 in their 14 UCL games in 2024/25, it wasn’t to be. And it’s no surprise, no team to have allowed such a high goals-against average (1.71 per game) has reached the final of the tournament.

Another European campaign that will be looked upon as what might’ve been.

If there is any consolation whatsoever to such an energy-sapping loss ahead of another El Clasico, it’s that most of those that pulled on the lime green jersey could’ve done nothing more on the night.

Frenkie de Jong and Lamine Yamal were particularly impressive and even Gerard Martin had one of his best games for the club. And don’t forget Eric Garcia who scored a goal he will never forget.

Ultimately, all their efforts were in vain, however, and perhaps, this game has put the final nail in the coffin as far as Ronald Araujo’s future at the club goes.

With Los Blancos coming to town at the weekend, there’s no time for Barca to feel sorry for themselves either. Lose that and the cat is really put amongst the pigeons in La Liga too.