In the last matches between Barça and Real Madrid, the duel between Ronald Araújo and Vinícius has become a classic within a classic. The central defender is used to playing on the right side against his eternal rival to cover up the Brazilian winger, the most dangerous player for the Whites, and to date the defender has almost always emerged victorious, an insurmountable wall.
“For me today, Vinícius is number one in one-on-one. He is a very good player, very unbalancing. It’s difficult, obviously,” the Uruguayan praised the skilful Real Madrid striker in an interview with ESPN, with whom he will face off again this Sunday at the Camp Nou in a decisive match for the outcome of the League.
“I work to be able to give my best in games like this. I’m happy that things are going well,” Araújo celebrated his good performance, especially against Vinícius. The success of Barça depends to a large extent on his good defense against the Brazilian, which if they took the three points would practically sentence the title with a 12-point advantage.
“The team is fine, I’m fine and with great expectations of being able to play this important game. I think we have to take it as a final because it’s a very important game, we can make a significant difference knowing that there’s not much left to finish La Liga “, analyzed the meeting.
Araújo is, together with his teammates in the rear Jules Koundé and Andres Christensen, as well as Alejandro Balde, the players who have fostered the defensive solidity of Barça, which has only conceded 8 goals in the League, a record at this point in the competition. “They are very good players who came to help us, and they give us a lot,” he praised the Frenchman and the Dane, who will also start against the Whites.
Araújo has gone from playing five years ago for the Uruguayan Boston Rivers to being considered one of the best defenders in European football, “a radical change” that has come about thanks to his tenacity and “work”. “Now the fruits are being seen (…) Xavi arrived in the middle of the previous season and when you’re playing a lot you can’t do many things. I think that in the preseason we were able to work a lot defensively,” said the central defender.
