In a surprising twist within the Barcelona camp, Eric Garcia has reportedly urged coach Hansi Flick to make a firm decision about his defensive partner, Ronald Araujo. This request follows rising criticism of Araujo’s recent displays—especially after the disappointing 3-3 draw with Club Brugge, where issues with his positioning and lack of defensive chemistry were on full display.
Garcia, who has been one of Barcelona’s best-performing defenders this season, has frequently been paired with Araujo in recent matches. However, their partnership has begun to show serious flaws. While Garcia’s performances—both as a centre-back and occasionally as a full-back—have earned widespread praise, the duo’s lack of coordination has repeatedly left the team exposed, particularly during counter-attacks.
Despite being one of the most reliable starters this season, Garcia has finally voiced his concerns about Araujo’s form, criticising his understanding of defensive positioning. He also highlighted recurring offside mistakes and Araujo’s difficulty in syncing with the rest of the backline, arguing that these issues are hurting the team’s overall stability.
In an unexpected move, Garcia has asked Flick to consider reshuffling the defensive setup, insisting that a more cohesive partnership is needed to strengthen the team’s performances in the upcoming fixtures.
These comments may pave the way for major defensive changes at Barcelona, as doubts continue to grow about the long-term viability of the Garcia–Araujo pairing amid increasing pressure and scrutiny after each match.
