Aitor Ariño (Penarth, United Kingdom, 1992) feels like a player again after having been out for 9 months due to an operation on his left knee, the second in two years. The Catalan winger, who hopes to return this Thursday in the Champions League at the Palau against Magdeburg (8:45 p.m.), has faith in the team of this new era, which he admits is “weaker than other years” due to the club’s austerity policy. Ludo Fàbregas and Luka Cindric have left, and Pérez de Vargas will join.
What was going through your mind while you were out for 9 months?
When I got injured it was a very hard blow, but once the surgery was done you set yourself the challenge of coming back well. I knew it was a serious injury [anterior cruciate ligament] because I had already experienced it before (2021), but it is true that the first time it went faster. I hope to be with the team in the Champions League.
I was in a great moment when it broke. At 30 years old, were you worried about missing out on the national team and the chance to win a Champions League?
It hasn’t worried me, but missing some Games (2021) has me stuck. Now I work with the goal of being able to live some, and to get [to Paris 2024] I know that I have to be good at the club and do well.
How have you experienced from the outside the change in the club’s policy and project, with the reduction in salary and sporting muscle?
We have had to adapt to the situation of the club and the section. That will make us assume more responsibility, that we will all have to take a step forward, but the team’s objectives are the same. We have lost our wardrobe, but if you look name by name, they are all starters in any Champions team.
Are you saddened by the situation experienced by the captain and friend of yours until now, Pérez de Vargas?
Because? No no! I’m very happy for him. He has a great opportunity, he has decided to leave and the whole team supports him. Grief? He goes to the Bundesliga champion and Champions League contender.
They are left without a reference and one of the best goalkeepers…
Yes, but Emil [Nielsen] will continue and do just as well. In the end this is handball, it is business. Nobody talks about Ludo [Fàbregas] anymore, and Gonzalo won’t be there next year or the next. Above all I am happy for my friends; It is a great opportunity, I hope you succeed and do very well.
As second captain, are you concerned about the dynamics that the section has taken, due to the weakening and loss of status in Europe?
Yes, it is clear, we are weaker than other years, we have lost talent and potential, but that will require the players to take another step, we will see more of Dika [Meme], who will be even more of a reference and we will use him more. Carlos [Ortega] already said it, that now we are more human. We already had the Irún scare and more could happen to us because the situation is like this, we cannot fight against this: we have lost potential and the other teams have more budget and invest more in handball.
Do you understand that it is a provisional situation and that the club will once again invest in top-level signings?
The level has been lowered in all sections due to the economic situation. Let’s hope that it is reversed and that the club becomes financially stronger and invests again in the sections; It is what makes Barça different and what the members want.
Would you accept a salary reduction?
I don’t think the club will reach this situation, it would do anything beforehand to avoid it, it would find resources as it has done in football.
In this context, is this Barça competitive enough to reach Cologne this season?
It is the objective; Now we are more human and it may cost us more, but the objective is the same. We know that we have the team to compete in Europe.
And to reach the final four?
Yes Yes Yes. No matter what group we are in, we must focus on playing good handball. We won a Champions League without being favorites [in 2022], and that shows that you don’t have to have all the talent. We have lost potential and we have gained in other aspects…
In which ones?
For example, in the team’s illusion, people give 100% to be at the highest level, important players must take a step forward. It’s a year for all of us to tighten up.
What is the minimum that they have to demand of themselves in the Champions League?
Compete, give your best. We will do it for sure. It is the only thing that has to be demanded of the team.
And get to Cologne?
I don’t think it’s a requirement. The goal is to be there, we can get there or not. But it cannot be demanded of us. It has to be a path and a process. And nothing happens because we arrive through the round of 16; I sign it. We cannot put the pressure on ourselves to reach the quarterfinals directly, the pressure is to go to Cologne.
What is the best thing about the team?
The human group: there is very good harmony, even if people leave. It’s what makes us strong. Complete trust between us led us to win the Champions League. When there is a lot of noise outside, the equipment closes tightly.
