2023 is a key year for FC Barcelona and in which winning titles is practically an obligation for Xavi Hernández and company after the great investment that was made in the summer of last year. Despite the fact that from within the team the illusion is maximum, the results have not yet accompanied him as expected, especially due to the elimination of the Champions League in the group stage.
That is why this new year means a clean slate for a Barça that will play four competitions (League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and Europa League). In the first part of the season, there was a feeling that the team was missing more pieces, but Except for a -very- unexpected twist in the script, no one will be able to sign anyone in this month of January. The good news, in any case, is that Xavi has gotten reinforcements that could be key.
This is a Ronald Araújo who already showed in his debut in the Copa del Rey that he is fully recovered from the avulsion of the adductor longus tendon of the right thigh that he suffered at the end of September and that forced him to undergo surgery and, in addition, to miss the World Cup with Uruguay. Against Intercity he ‘debuted’ and also opened the scoring for the Catalans after seven minutes.
The Uruguayan is the most important defender for Barça. He has been showing it since he was promoted to the first team, but last season he finished consecrating himself, despite the various physical problems he had throughout the course. With him, the Terrassa coach knows that he has a ‘plus’ in the team that would have been key in 2022 in games that were defined by defensive details (and errors), such as against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Key signing for Xavi
It is a sensational reinforcement for the second leg of the season, in which a lot will be at stake for Barça and in which there will be no excuses. Ronald Araújo is called to be the great leader of the defensive defense and can probably share with Jules Koundé. That was Xavi’s bet in the Copa del Rey and Probably the couple that he would like to be indisputable, but everything seems to indicate that the Frenchman will play much more on the right wing.
In any case, Barça is recovering a player who can be decisive and who can push his team, because he not only acts as a centre-back, but has also shown to be a great leader who ‘imposes’ on the pitch. In the locker room they see him as one of the great leaders and this factor will be key for him to ‘transfer’ to the pitch.
